| Burton Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Outstanding accomplishments in law. |
| Presented by | Burton Foundation, In association with the Library of Congress |
| Country | USA |
| First awarded | 1999-Present |
| Official website | http://www.burtonawards.com/ |
Nature of the Burton Awards: The awards program is designed to reward major achievements in the law ranging from literary awards to the greatest reform in law. The awards are selected, generally, by professors from Harvard Law School, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and the University of Michigan Law School, and a judge, among others. Judge Richard Posner of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Carol Corrigan of the Supreme Court of California, and Judge James D. Ward of the California Court of Appeal (retired) are honorary members on the board of directors.
Each year 30 Legal Writing Awards are chosen from partners at the largest law firms in the nation. 15 Law School Awards are also given out. Five other Burton Awards are presented annually which include "The Record of Distinction Award," given to law firms and law schools which have had winners for three or more years, "Outstanding Contributions to Legal Writing Education Award," "ALA Prominent Publication Awards," and the new "Morrison & Foerster Regulatory Innovation Award."
The award ceremonies are annually held at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. Guest speakers have included Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, and well known hosts and commentators Tom Brokaw, Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, George Will, and Bob Schieffer, among others. Bill Press is the master of ceremonies.
The Burton Foundation is a nonprofit cultural and academic organization devoted to further promoting the stature of the legal profession.
Contents |
William C. Burton, Esq.[1] Founder & Chairman
The creator of The Burton Awards for Legal Achievement is William C. Burton, a partner in the law firm of Sagat/Burton LLP [2] in New York City. He is a former New York State Assistant Attorney General, former New York State Assistant Special Prosecutor, and has written the authoritative reference book, BURTON'S LEGAL THESAURUS, (4th edition), published by McGraw-Hill.
The quality and number of submissions by law firms and law schools is extremely competitive. Award recipients are selected from nominations by deans of all of the law schools in America, as well as from nominations by managing partners of the 1000 largest U.S. law firms.[10]
William C. Burton, Partner at Sagat|Burton LLP; Judge Richard Posner, US Court of Appeals for the 7th Circ.; Judge Alex Kozinski, US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circ.; Justice Carol A. Corrigan,Supreme Court of California; Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, NYS Court of Appeals, Retired; Justice James D. Ward, Justice of California Court of Appeal, Retired; Dennis Smith, Former Senator and Member of the Judiciary Committee, Missouri Legislature; Stephen R. Mysliwiec, Partner at DLA Piper; Nancy Schultz, Esq. Representative of the Association of Legal Writing Directors; Geralyn M. Presti, General Counsel of SVP & Assistant Secretary, Forest City Enterprises, Inc. Patricia L. Groff, CLM, Director of Administration for Butz Dunn & DeSantis
Virginia Wise, Esq. Chair; Anne E. Kringel, Esq., Vise Chair; Grace Tonner, Esq.; Judge Edward Forstenzer; William Ryan; William C. Burton Ex-Offio
2009 The 2009 event was held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. on June 15, 2009. Allen I. Fagin, chairman of Proskauer Rose LLP, was Dinner Chair. Bill Press was the Master of Ceremonies.
National Award winners: The Book of the Year in Law: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Author Bryan Garner; Lifetime Reform In Law Award: New York State Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye(retired); Inaugural Morrison & Foerster Regulatory Innovation Award: Chairman Sheila C. Bair LIfetime Writing in Law and Entertainment Award: Renowned Television Screenwriter David E. Kelley; Outstanding Contributions to Legal Writing Education Award: Professor Richard K. Neumann, Jr.
Legends in Law' winners: Linda V. Tiano, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Health Net Inc., nominated by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman; Brackett B. Denniston III, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of General Electric Company, nominated by Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker; Teri P. McClure, Senior Vice President of Legal, Compliance and Public Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of United Parcel Service, Inc., nominated by Morrison & Foerster LLP; Michael Ettinger, Corporate Senior Vice President of Henry Shein, Inc; nominated by Proskauer Rose LLP; Charles W. Matthews, Vice President and General Counsel of ExxonMobil Corporation, nominated by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; Stanley F. Baldwin, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of AMERIGROUP Corporation, nominated by Williams Mullen; George J. Lykos, Chief Legal Officer of Bayer Corporation, nominated by Barlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP; James J. Bender, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Williams Companies, nominated by Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden, & Nelson, P.C.; Bart Colli, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of ARAMARK, nominated by Cozen O'Connor
Law Firm winners: Bowman and Brooke LLP; Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione; Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP; Davis Polk & Wardell; Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; DLA Piper LLP; Downes Hurst & Fishel LLP; Faegre & Benson LLP; Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP; Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto; Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP; Gordon & Rees LLP ; Jackson Walker LLP; Kelley Drye & Warren LLP; Kilpatrick Stockton LLP; King & Spalding; Krieg DeVault LLP; Moffatt Thomas Barrett Rock & Fields, Chtd; Morrison & Foerster LLP; Perkins Coie LLP; Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pitman LLP; Proskauer Rose LLP; Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP; Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Maegher & Flom LLP; Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP; Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; White & Case LLP; Winston & Strawn LLP
Association of Legal Administrators, National Publication Award winners: Best Law Firm Profile: Nixon Peabody LLP, Elizabeth Kennedy; Best Law Firm Newsletter: Fisher & Phillips LLP, Angela Pinto; Best Law Firm Publication: Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC, Lance Bonner; Best Law Firm Advertisement: Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP, Linda R. Lehmann; Best Law Firm Compendium: Morrison & Foerster LLP, Anna T. Penedo and Amy Baumgardner; Best Law Firm Comprehensive Analysis: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Anthony Arbisi