The Public Interest Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association created this award in 2012 to honor the memory of Judge Louis H. Pollak, a distinguished jurist who cared deeply about public service and access to justice and who gave time and effort to support the public interest legal community through his work with the Philadelphia Bar Association.
The award is given annually to a jurist who embodies Judge Pollak’s commitment to public service. The award does not come with any monetary amount, but serves as recognition of both the legacy of leadership Judge Pollak left behind and of the service of the awardee.
Past Recipients
2025
Hon. Gerald A. McHugh, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
2024
Hon. Anne Lazarus, Pennsylvania Superior Court and Hon. Idee Fox, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
2023
Hon. Luis F. Restrepo, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
2022
Hon. Matthew S. Wolf, Municipal Court of Philadelphia
2021
Hon. Marilyn Heffley, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA
2020
Honorable Kenneth J. Powell, Jr. and Honorable Karen Y. Simmons
2019
Hon. David R. Strawbridge, Eastern District PA
2018
Hon. Annette Rizzo, Philadelphia Common Pleas
2017
Hon. Elizabeth T. Hey, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
2016
Hon. Sheila A. Woods-Skipper, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia
2015
Hon. Theodore A. McKee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
2014
Hon. Edmund B. Spaeth, Jr., Pennsylvania Superior Court
2013
Hon. Timothy R. Rice, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
