Nomination Deadline: Monday, August 3, 2026
Award Presentation: Fall/Winter 2026
The Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Award was named in honor of the first woman Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and is given by the Women in the Profession Committee annually to an outstanding woman attorney in the Philadelphia area.
The recipient is expected to exemplify the qualities that Justice O’Connor has demonstrated in her life and work. Therefore, the Award Committee gives preference to those nominees who have achieved prominence and the highest degree of professional excellence in their field over a sustained period and who have openly and visibly used their position and stature in the community to mentor, promote and advance other women lawyers.
Award Criteria:
- Woman attorney with law practice or other professional activities in Philadelphia.
- A career path that demonstrates superior legal talent and ability characterized by unique contributions to and significant achievements within the legal community.
- Advocacy for the advancement and equitable treatment of women in the profession, as well as the community.
- A reputation for mentoring other women in the legal profession.
- Nominee does not have to be a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Women in the Profession Committee when nominated; however, the Award Committee may take such membership into consideration when evaluating the nominee.
- Nominee cannot be a member of the Award Committee or a member of the immediate family of a member of the Award Committee.
Nominations Are Due by Monday, August 3, 2026
Return the completed form with all additional materials by Monday, August 3, 2026, with. The subject line “O’Connor Award Nomination,” by email to communications@philabar.org.
Download nomination form.
