NCAJ Annual Awards

 

Annie Brown Kennedy Award

Given for commitment to acquiring “full freedom” for all citizens of North Carolina and exceptional advocacy that protects individual liberties. Recognizes active service in their local community with a focus on the status and welfare of families and minority citizens.

Charles L. Becton Award

Given for excellence in the teaching of trial advocacy.

Excellence in Journalism Award

Recognizes a print or broadcast journalist whose work has contributed to protecting people’s rights.

Kellie Crabtree Award

Given to an attorney and his or her client in cases when the client’s story and the attorney’s representation has made a real difference in protecting people’s rights.

Robby Price Award

Presented to a paralegal that has made significant contributions in the fight for justice on behalf of their clients and the citizens of North Carolina.

Thurgood Marshall Award

Established to recognize extraordinary and selfless service to the people of North Carolina in keeping with the legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Walter Clark Award

The highest award given by the Advocates for Justice. For extraordinary service to justice and to the Advocates for Justice in the tradition of former Chief Justice Walter Clark of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.

Special Award

Given in circumstances such as outstanding leadership during a legislative session or outstanding leadership/ assistance in a public service project.

Outstanding Appellate Judge Award

Outstanding Legislator Award

Outstanding Trial Judge Award

 

2020 RECIPIENTS

Rick Glazier - Charles Becton Teaching Award

Sen. Danny Britt Jr. - Outstanding Legislator 

Judge Paul C. Ridgeway - Outstanding Trial Judge

Chief Justice Cheri L. Beasley - Outstanding Appellate Judge 

 

2019 RECIPIENTS

Burton Craige - Thurgood Marshall Award 
The Honorable Thomas Lock - Outstanding Trial Judge   
The Honorable Richard Dietz - Outstanding Appellate Judge
The Honorable Robert N. Hunter, Jr. - Outstanding Appellate Judge 
The Honorable Valerie J. Zachary - Outstanding Appellate Judge 

Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy & Kennedy LLP - Special Award 
in recognition of their status as the oldest law firm of African American attorneys in our state and their 65 years of service to the people of North Carolina 

 

2018 Recipients

Joseph B. Cheshire V - Walter Clark Award 
Bernadine Ballance - Outstanding Trial Judge   
The Honorable Rickye McKoy-Mitchell - Outstanding Trial Judge
Ernest "Buddy" Conner, Jr. - Charles Becton Teaching Award
 

2017 Recipients

Christine Mumma - Thurgood Marshall Award
Leonard Jernigan - Charles Becton Teaching Award
The Honorable Carl Fox - Outstanding Trial Judge   
Belan Gomez-Jordana - Outstanding Journalism Award

2016 Recipients

James E. Williams, Jr. - Thurgood Marshall Award   
Seth Langson - Kellie Crabtree Award 
Robby Price - Kellie Crabtree Award  
The Honorable Orlando Hudson - Outstanding Trial Judge 
The Honorable Linda Stephens - Outstanding Appellate Judge
 

2015 Recipients

Janet Ward Black - Kellie Crabtree Award
Graham Yates - Kellie Crabtree Award (posthumously)
Laura Leslie - Excellence in Journalism
Rebecca Britton and M. Gordon Widenhouse, Jr. - NCAJ Special Award
The Honorable Mary Ann Tally - Outstanding Trial Judge
The Honorable Linda McGee - Outstanding Appellate Judge
Richard M. Taylor, Jr. - Walter Clark Award

2014 Recipients

M. Gordon Widenhouse - Distinguished Service Award, NC State Bar   
David Pishko - Charles Becton Award
The Honorable Lucy Inman - Outstanding Trial Judge Award 

Hoppy Elliot, Griff Morgan and Frank Goldsmith - Special Award
in recognition of their tremendous work advocating for the civil rights of Guantanamo Bay detainees
 

Ebbie Award

The Ebbie Award was established in 2003 in honor of Ebbie Bailey, wife of founding member Allen Bailey. The President of NCAJ gives this award to members in recognition of service and inspired commitment to the organization:

2020 Recipients:

Michael S. Adkins, Kim Crouch, Carmaletta L. Henson, Jennifer Moeller Lechner, Jason A. Orndoff, Kimberly Wilson White

2019 Recipients:
David S. Henson, Valerie A. Johnson, Lou Ann Vincent

2018 Recipients:
Janet Ward Black, Joseph B. Cheshire V, Narendra Ghosh, Mary Lee, Karonnie Truzy

2017 Recipients:
Andrew Banzhoff, Katie Bryant, Bartina Edwards, Chris Fialko, Darrin Jordan, Philip Miller, Ann Ochsner, Stewart Poisson, Toussaint Romain, Jason Taylor

2016 Recipients:
Eric Doggett, Philip R. Isley, Laura Noble, Sonya Pfeiffer, Michael Rothrock, Amy Page Smith, Laura J. Wetsch

2015 Recipients:
Matt Ballew, Kevin Bunn, Tom Comerford, John McCabe, David Rudolf

2014 Recipients:
Andrew Banzhoff, Charlie Blanchard, Burton Craige, Sarah Rackley Olson