It’s that time of year when we look back and take note of what mattered and what didn’t. The ABA Journal has done it’s job, making AG, Alberto Gonzalez, it’s Lawyer of the Year for 2007 (and Michael Mukasey its Lawyer of the Year for 2008, just in case the world explodes before next December).
But these Beauty Pageants have little to do with real criminal defense lawyers who serve their clients in the trenches. Indeed, even when someone gives an award to a criminal defense lawyer, it’s almost always because of who he or she is rather than what he or she has done. Big name, high-profile lawyers receive plenty of attention, while the efforts in the trenches for defendant’s whose cases don’t make the front page go unnoticed.
So, I have decided to try something totally different. I am taking nominations for Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year, 2007. This will not be a Beauty Pageant for the usual suspects, the big name lawyers in the high-profile cases, but rather the unsung heroes in the trenches, doing the dirty work that flies under the radar.
Please nominate a criminal defense lawyer who has done something to deserve recognition. Please let us know what it is that he or she has done. Do not feel constrained to limit yourself to lawyers who made headlines. The winner will be judged by the worth of his or her efforts in the scheme of our duty to zealously represent those accused of crimes.
It’s about time that we recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of our brethren in the trenches. Now it’s up to you to submit your nomination, via the comments, and acknowledge the exceptional work done every day by men and women who have never made the front page of the newspaper. Let’s do it.
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Brian Jones. He’s the public defender who was arrested when he refused to try a case on one day’s notice. You blogged him here:
http://blog.simplejustice.us/2007/08/18/ready-set-trial.aspx
Story here:
http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/2415231
Along the same line I guess you could include Chris Hoover from Plano. He refused to do anything during a trial when the judge insisted he begin because he was told the case wasn’t going that day.
I think you blogged about him as well, but I didn’t really want to try to find it.
Well that’s no exactly an enthusiastic endorsement. Is it because he’s not that worthy or you don’t think enough of the idea of recognizing merit in the everyday efforts of criminal defense lawyers?
I’ve received an email nomination for Maryland criminal defense lawyer and fellow blawger, Jon Katz, of Underdog fame.
The nomination came from one of Jon’s clients who preferred that his confidences not be displayed in this comment, but the gist of the nomination is for the humanity and empathy that Jon showed his client during this very trying time.
Jon was not only helpful in the way he is supposed to be as a top-notch attorney, but provided that extra level of human respect that many lawyers can’t find the time to provide. It was greatly appreciate by his client, so much so that he wanted to show his appreciation by nominating Jon as Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year.
Hi, Scott- I nominate SunWolf. Since we first met over a dozen years ago, she has inspired me tremendously to make quantum leaps as a criminal defense lawyer. I write more about SunWolf here: http://tinyurl.com/2epj4d .
Have a great week. Jon
Love your client.
. Sixteen years ago, when I started with the Maryland Public Defender’s Office on my criminal defense path, I was riveted at a training session by a fellow very experienced public defender lawyer who insisted that we love our clients, and never ever
Nominations Open For Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year 2007
Just a reminder that we are soliciting nominations for Criminal Defense Lawyer of the
Year 2007.
Nominations Open For Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year 2007
Just a reminder that we are soliciting nominations for Criminal Defense Lawyer of the
Year 2007.
No nominee from me. Don’t we spend all our time debunking these who’s the greatest things?
But that’s exactly the point. This is the “unbeauty pageant,” where we eschew the high and mighty, the prettiest girl in school, for the regular guy in the trenches. This is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of real lawyers, who spend their time dealing with real defendants rather than playing talking head with the media or smiling for the cameras with their one high-profile client.
Do you not think that there are many criminal defense lawyers who perform their jobs in heroic fashion every day, but never receive any recognition (and perhaps not even a “thank you” from their loving clients)? Well, this is a chance to right that wrong. Don’t pass it up.
Mark Bennett For AG.
Not sure that the Texas Tornado would want the job, but I was waiting for someone to acknowledge acknowledge my good buddy from Houston. How about a little more detail for the folks at home about this unsung hero?
Another nomination:
Barry Scheck. While I don’t do crim defense, I get the impression he has done more for using DNA to free the wrongfully convicted than anyone else. And if I’m wrong on that while being out of my field, feel free to let me know.
While Barry and the Innocence Project have certainly played a major role, he’s also received a great deal of credit for his (and Russ Neufeld’s) efforts, so he’s really not who we’re looking for here. This is for the lawyers whose accomplishments fly under the radar of the general public.