This award recognizes significant and innovative pro bono contributions of law firms towards forwarding access to justice in New Jersey. In addition to the general criteria listed above, nominees in this category are evaluated based on the breadth and scope of the law firm’s pro bono involvement, promotion of pro bono service by its lawyers, and inventive approaches taken by the firm. Nominees will be evaluated against law firms of comparable sizes (small departments 2–25 lawyers, or large departments 26+ lawyers.)

This award recognizes the pro bono excellence of new lawyers who have been in the practice of law for ten years or less. In addition to the general criteria listed above, nominees in this category are evaluated on the scope of the individual lawyer’s pro bono involvement and his or her promotion of pro bono service by others.

This award recognizes the exemplary pro bono efforts of an attorney with a long history of work in the pro bono arena. In addition to the general criteria listed above, nominees in this category are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• A career spanning at least 25 years with an established history of pro bono work
• Leadership and inspiration to others; service as a role model and/or mentor
• A lasting contribution to a field of law that impacts the underserved
• Influence on the pro bono arena

Following in the tradition set by the late Mark Daniel, a visionary leader of pro bono efforts at Merck, the NJSBA, and nationally, this award recognizes exemplary pro bono efforts of corporate legal departments. In addition to the criterial listed above, nominees in this category are evaluated on the breadth and scope of the corporation’s pro bono legal involvement and its promotion of pro bono service by its lawyers. Nominees should highlight work that showcases the unique role that corporate legal departments play in forwarding access to justice in New Jersey. Nominees will be evaluated against corporate legal departments of comparable sizes (small departments 2–25 lawyers, or large departments 26+ lawyers.)

This award recognizes exemplary pro bono efforts impacting access to justice for underserved communities in New Jersey by a law student or group of law students. The award specifically recognizes those who have excelled in supporting pro bono or legal aid programs and/or who have been instrumental in the development of a pro bono program satisfying previously unmet legal needs. All law-related activities for which the nominated party is credited must be within the realm of those permitted for law students or under the direction of a lawyer or law school program.

This award recognizes the exemplary efforts of a public interest attorney with a long history of advancing pro bono in New Jersey. In addition to the general criteria listed above, nominees in this category are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• A career spanning at least 25 years with an established history of advancing pro bono work
• Leadership and inspiration to others; service as a role model and/or mentor in pro bono services
• A lasting contribution to the advancement of pro bono service