Community Service Recognition Committee Annual Report

2015

In its second year of existence the Community Service Award Committee presented the 2014 winners at the annual banquet, solicited nominations through the magazine and email, reviewed the nominees, and worked with TPCBA president John Christensen to select the winners. We assigned out the writing of essays for the magazine (an essay for each winner plus a summary essay), and solicited photos. The winners will be announced at Lincoln Day and in the magazine that is published around that time.

The Committee is pleased to report that the Awards seem to be gaining in profile. There were many more nominations this year than last, plus we added a new committee member (Julian Bray). Our one glitch was that we didn’t realize the early deadline for the magazine, so selection of and writing about the subjects was a rather rushed process. The results were good, but we will plan better next year.

The goal of the awards is to draw attention to people in the Tacoma-Pierce County legal community who work to make our community a better place. That might be through diligent pro bono work, creative new ideas that help others, a lengthy career improving others’ lives, or some other notable means.

The awards are intended for TPCBA members, but others may be considered in special circumstances. Not every award will be given every year. These are the awards categories and this year’s winners:

• Distinguished Service: A TPCBA member who, through his or her legal work, changes lives for the better in our community. For example, this could be an attorney who consistently helps the underprivileged, or an attorney who helped achieve a change in the legal system that improves the lives of others.
  Winner: Thomas P. Quinlan.
• Community Service: A TPCBA member who volunteers his or her time, either in a legal or non-legal capacity, to improve the circumstances of others. This recipient could work to help others through pro bono work or volunteerism.
  Winner: Amber N. Austin.
• Service to the Legal Profession: A person who provides outstanding service to furthering the goals of the legal profession and promoting the ideal of professionalism.
  Winner: Robert B. Nettleton.
• Service to Diversity: An attorney who works tirelessly to promote and encourage diversity within the legal profession, in the community or among their peers.
  Winner: Dwayne L. Christopher.
• Distinguished Law Firm or Agency: A group of attorneys who work together as a group to improve their community, whether through legal or non-legal work.
  Winner: Connelly Law.
• Distinguished Organization: A group or association not primarily lawyers whose contributions have, over time, had a significant favorable impact on some aspect of the legal system.
  Winner: Center for Dialog & Resolution.
• Outstanding Jurist: An exemplary jurist who has significantly served or improved the community, whether through his or her work, or through his or her volunteerism.
  Winner: Commissioner Diana L. Kiesel.
• Service to the TPCBA: A volunteer who has provided outstanding service to the local bar association.
  Winner: Hannah Jackowski.
• Service to Legal Education: An attorney or educator who has provided excellent education to others – whether the public, or students, or another group – in explaining the legal system.
  Winner: Professor John Weaver.
• Service by a New Attorney: An attorney within their first 5 years of practice who has shown commitment to improving their community, whether through legal or non-legal work.
  Winner: Amanda N. Nathan.

Committee chairwoman Lisa Kremer is willing continue as chair of the Community Service Recognition Committee. My contact info is lkremer@gth-law.com, 253-620-6429.