IBA Calls For Nomination Of Colleagues For The 2020 Annual Awards

The International Bar Association (IBA) is calling for nominations for its three annual awards: the IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights, the IBA Pro Bono Award and the IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.

Each will be presented during the 2020 IBA Annual Conference taking place in Miami, United States, from 1–6 November.

The deadline for receiving nominations is 23h59 (BST) on Friday 19 June 2020.

IBA President Horacio Bernardes Neto commented: ‘At the IBA, we believe that being a good lawyer is not simply a case of performing the required duties. As the global voice of the legal profession, we are committed to showing appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to creating a fairer society. I encourage anyone who knows of a worthy lawyer to nominate them for an IBA Award in recognition of their achievements.’

The Awards, sponsored by LexisNexis, are free to enter and open to all lawyers, IBA members and non-members alike. The winners will receive:

• free registration to attend the 2020 IBA Annual Conference in Miami;
• a contribution towards accommodation and travel costs to attend the Conference;
• one year’s free IBA general membership; and specifically, depending on category:
  • membership of the IBA Human Rights Law Committee;
  • membership of the IBA Pro Bono Committee; or
  • membership of the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee.

IBA Executive Director Mark Ellis said: ‘Lawyers who strive to uphold human rights and improve access to justice are a source of inspiration for us all. The tireless efforts undertaken by such individuals should not be overlooked. Nominating a colleague for an IBA Award is an ideal way of recognising their achievements and demonstrating your continued support for their professional endeavours.’

The IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights will be given by the IBA Human Rights Law Committee to a legal practitioner who is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of the human rights of all or any group of people, particularly with respect to their right to live in a fair and just society under the rule of law.

The IBA Pro Bono Award will be granted by the IBA’s Pro Bono Committee to a lawyer who has shown outstanding dedication to the provision of free legal services and access to justice; taken an innovative approach to providing pro bono services leading to new models of working in their own and other jurisdictions; and who have brought about a significant impact to an individual, community, group or country, or to the provision of pro bono services generally, through legislative reform, litigation or transactional representation.

The IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award will be presented by the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee to a young lawyer who has shown not only excellence in their work and achievements in their career to date, but also a commitment to professional and ethical standards as well as a commitment to the larger community. This Award is made in recognition of William Reece Jr, a former IBA President, distinguished as one of the finest and most respected legal experts due to his leadership in the legal profession as an accomplished lawyer, as well as an extensively published legal scholar, lecturer and outstanding community servant.

All nominations are to be received by 23h59 BST on Friday 19 June 2020. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted at the email address provided on the nomination form. Any queries about the nomination process should be sent to rebecca.ruler@int-bar.org.