PROGRAMS & AWARDS
Recognition & Awards
Judicial Civility - Judge of the Year
In 1998, the LA Chapter Executive Committee decided to present a Jurist of the Year Award to an outstanding Judge within the local and federal judiciary community. Originally, the award was presented at the annual President's Dinner Dance in February but in 2007, President Steve Glickman felt the annual Judicial Reception would be more appropriate. It was also at this time the Executive Committee decided to give a Clerk of the Year Award to honor the judicial assistants. In 2005 the judicial award was renamed for ABOTA's own Honorable William J. Rea.
Judicial Civility/Judge of the Year Award Recipients:
Hon. Rupert Byrdsong
Hon. Samantha Jessner
Hon. Ruth Ann Kwan
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
Hon. Mark Mooney
Hon. Margaret L. Oldendorf
Hon. Gerald Rosenberg
Hon. Stephen M. Moloney
Hon. Kevin Brazile
Hon. Daniel J. Buckley
Hon. Frederick Shaller
Hon. Richard Stone
Hon. Emilie Elias
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Hon. Michael Harwin
Hon. Lee Smalley Edmon
Hon. Joe W. Hilberman
Hon. Richard D. Aldrich
Hon. Victoria G. Chaney
Hon. Gregory O'Brien, Jr.
Hon. Steven R. Van Sicklen
Hon. Patti S. Kitching
Hon. Alan B. Haber
Hon. Robert Letteau
Hon. Wendell H. Mortimer
Hon. Victor E. Chavez
Hon. William A. Maclaughlin
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award
The Lee B. Wenzel Civility award was established in 1993 and awarded the first time to the Hon. William J. Rea in 1994.
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"The Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA awards the Lee B. Wenzel Civility award to the attorney who regularly demonstrates qualities of professionalism, civility, graciousness and high moral and ethical standards as exemplified by the late Lee B. Wenzel."
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The Chapter President appoints a committee to research nominees and polls the membership for nominations. These names are presented at a meeting of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee votes to determine who will be the recipient. The recipient is honored during the Annual Installation Dinner Dance held during the first quarter of the following year.
Los Angeles ABOTA Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award Recipients:
Edith Matthai
Donna Melby
Michael Schonbuch
Robert A. Morgenstern
Michael J. Trotter
Geoffrey Wells
Linda Miller Savitt
Phillip A. Baker
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
John A. “Jack” Girardi
Thomas F. McAndrews
Moses Lebovits
Randolph M. Even
Stephen C. Pasarow
Walter Yoka
Mark D. Wenzel
Steven C. Glickman
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Judicial Assistant of the Year
Judicial Assistant/Clerk of the Year Award Recipients:
Michelle Knipprath
Rigoberto Henry Inostroza
Nicole Payne
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
Dan Brostoff
Theresa R. McGonigle
Ruben Juarez
Robert E. Lee
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Elmer Sabalburo
Connie Rodriguez
Felipe Rojas
Jeff Lipp
Jeff Charles
Kent Tobey
Not Awarded
Gloria Tapanes
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
H. Gilbert Jones, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:
H. Gilbert Jones, Jr. (Posthumously)
Louis "Duke" DeHaas
David R. Glickman
John P. "Jack" Daniels
Robert N. Stone
Kermit J. Morgan
William J. Rea
2022
2018
2012
2007
2006
2004
2002