Each year, the DC Trial Lawyers Association honors individuals whose work reflects the highest ideals of the civil justice system — excellence in advocacy, integrity, leadership, and service to the community.
Our annual awards recognize trial lawyers, leaders, and community partners who strengthen the right to trial by jury, promote accountability and public safety, and help ensure access to justice for those who need it most.
These honors are presented each spring at our Annual Awards Gala, one of the Association’s signature events, where members of the trial bar, judiciary, and community come together to celebrate the achievements of our colleagues and the values we share.
We typically present the following awards:
Barry Nace Trial Lawyer of the Year
The Barry Nace Trial Lawyer of the Year Award is the Association’s highest honor for a plaintiff trial lawyer.
It recognizes an attorney whose work reflects outstanding courtroom advocacy, unwavering integrity, and a deep commitment to the civil justice system.
Recipients of this award demonstrate the very best of the trial lawyer profession — protecting the right to trial by jury, advancing accountability, and standing up for those who need a voice.
Selection Criteria
Nominees are considered based on:
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Excellence in trial practice and courtroom advocacy
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Commitment to trying meritorious cases
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Contributions that advance civil justice and public safety
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Professionalism, ethics, and civility
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Service to the legal profession through teaching, mentorship, and/or leadership
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Respect and reputation within the legal community
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A sustained career of excellence or significant recent achievement
Past Recipients
Michael A. Abelson
Laurie Amell
William E. Artz
Henry R. Berger
Joseph D. Bulman
Robert Cadeaux
Joseph Cammarata
Harlow R. Case
Donald Chaiken
Paulette Chapman
Paul Cornoni
Earl H. Davis
Allen T. Eaton
Karen Evans
Thomas F. Fay
Michael Feldman
Marc Fiedler
Palmer Foret
Harry Goldberg
Milton Heller
Gerald Holtz
Ronald A. Karp
J. Phillip Kessel
Bruce J. Klores
Joseph H. Koonz, Jr.
Aaron M. Levine
William P. Lightfoot
Ferdinand J. Mack
Patrick A. Malone
Solomon L. Margolis
Col. Peter R. Masciola
Joseph McMenamin
Charles Meltmar
Robert R. Michael
Warren Miller
Denis C. Mitchell
Gerard E. Mitchell
Glenn A. Mitchell
R. Kenneth Mundy
Barry J. Nace
Christopher Nace
Alvin Newmeyer
Edward Lee Norwind
Jack H. Olender
Michelle Parfitt
Charles C. Parsons
Patrick M. Regan
Melissa Rhea
Sandra H. Robinson
Benjamin Rossner
Harold Sakayan
Frederick W. Schwartz, Jr.
James R. Scullen
George W. Shadoan
Samuel M. Shapiro
Allan Siegel
W. Scott Sonntag
Robert J. Stanford
Jacob A. Stein
James W. Taglieri
Kenneth Trombly
Keith Watters
Harvey “Shep” Williams
Salvatore J. Zambri
Sandra H. Robinson Women’s Caucus Award
The Sandra H. Robinson Women’s Caucus Award honors an individual who has shown exceptional leadership as an advocate for injured women and children and as a champion for the advancement of women trial lawyers.
Established by our Women’s Caucus in 2011, the award recognizes those who serve as role models, mentor others, and help build a stronger, more inclusive trial bar.
The award celebrates individuals who:
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Support and develop women trial lawyers
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Provide leadership within DCTLA
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Mentor the next generation
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Advocate for vulnerable client populations
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Contribute meaningful service to the community
The award is named in honor of Sandra H. Robinson, a trailblazer for women in the trial bar and the first woman to serve as President of DCTLA.
Past Recipients
2011 – Tamara Miller
2012 – Paulette Chapman
2013 – Linda Correia
2014 – Karen Evans
2015 – Sandra H. Robinson
2016 – Adele Kimmel
2017 – Kim Brooks Rodney
2018 – Joan Wilbon
2019 – Michelle Parfitt
2022 – Bridget Stumpf
2023 – Chris Wheatley Figueras
2024 – Hon. Nan Shuker (ret.)
2025 – Hon. Anita Josey-Herring (ret.)
Community Service Award
The Community Service Award recognizes a community partner whose work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others and reflects the values shared by the DC Trial Lawyers Association.
Recipients are honored for their commitment to justice, health, safety, and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
This award celebrates organizations and individuals whose efforts improve lives and strengthen the communities we serve.
President’s Award
Each year, the President’s Award is presented by the outgoing President of DCTLA to recognize an individual who made a special contribution during the year.
This award honors leadership, dedication, and support that helped advance the mission of the Association and the work of the trial lawyer community.
Annual Awards Gala
All awards are presented at an Annual Awards Gala, held each spring.
This special evening brings together members of the trial bar, judges, community partners, and friends of the Association to celebrate the people whose work strengthens the civil justice system and upholds the highest traditions of the profession.
This event is hosted by the DC Trial Lawyers Foundation is the charitable affiliate of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
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