The American Bar Association, through the Standing Committee on Professionalism and the Center for Professional Responsibility, is pleased to announce its 19th annual award competition for projects aimed at enhancing professionalism among lawyers.

Up to three awards, in the amount of $3500.00 each, will be presented. The funds for these awards are available through the E. Smythe Gambrell Fund for Professionalism. The E. Smythe Gambrell Justice Fund was established by the ABA Board of Governors in 1984, and in April 1990 was dedicated to support programs in professionalism as the E. Smythe Gambrell Fund for Professionalism.

Click here for the Application Form.

1. Eligibility

Law schools, state and local bar associations, law firms and not-for-profit law related organizations are eligible for the awards. Programs submitted for consideration must be ongoing for at least one year prior to the entry deadline. Past Gambrell Award winning projects are ineligible.

2. Judging

The entries will be reviewed under the direction of the ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism. Factors that will be considered in the determination of the winners will be any distinguishing and/or particularly meritorious features of the program, such as

a) Overall quality of the program

b) Ease with which other interested groups throughout the country can replicate the program

c) Established history of the program

d) Likelihood of continuation of the program

e) The extent of the program's reach to all experience levels of law students and/or lawyers.

f) Proactive nature of the program

g) Success and effectiveness of the program

3. Reporting Requirement

Each year all Gambrell Award winning project are required to update their project descriptions and brief summaries. Any additional program components or other significant changes should be reported on an ad hoc basis. Reporting forms will be sent to each program.

4. Application Procedures

a). Applications submitted in hard copy must include an original and two copies of a completed Project Information Form, including attachments. (In the case of videotapes or books, only one original need be included.) Email applications are encouraged. Faxed applications will NOT be accepted.

b). Applications must be typewritten.

c). There is no minimum or maximum page length.

d). All award entries MUST be received on or before March 31, 2009. All entries should be addressed to:

American Bar Association
Center for Professional Responsibility
321 N. Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610

or

Email: agarwin@staff.abanet.org

e). All entries, including exhibits, become the property of the American Bar Association and will not be returned. The ABA has the right to distribute or post on its Web site copies of the applications.

f). The awards will be presented at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting, August 2009, in Chicago, Illinois.

Click here for the Application Form.

Questions regarding the awards should be directed to Kathleen Maher (312) 988-5307, e-mail: maherk@staff.abanet.org or Arthur Garwin (312) 988-5294, e-mail: agarwin@staff.abanet.org, or at the above address.