Call for Nominations for NYLJ's 2023 Professional Excellence Awards

The New York Law Journal is looking to honor the best and brightest in New York’s legal community.

Those chosen will appear in a special section in the Law Journal, have their stories told online and be honored at an event in Manhattan in October.

We want to hear from lawyers, law firms and litigation departments who have influenced their practice areas in New York and beyond. They should be innovators, developing unique practice niches, employing creative uses of technology, amassing robust books of business, showing expertise in litigation or transactional work, contributing to the improvement of their institutions or committing themselves to pro bono, charitable and professional volunteer work.

Law firms of all sizes, including solos, are encouraged to apply.

Note about submissions: No more than three attorneys per category can be nominated from any one firm or organization. References to “past year” cover the period between Jan. 1, 2022 up to the submission deadline. We encourage you to choose a category whose criteria best aligns with the attorney’s work and accomplishments.

The New York Law Journal takes a comprehensive approach to judging and we consider various factors when making decisions, including but not limited to the amount or significance of the issue at stake in the work described; the impact or innovative nature of the work; diversity; practice area; and pro bono work.

The New York Law Journal is committed to diversity and strongly encourages the legal community to highlight and promote their diverse attorneys when considering and preparing submissions.

For more information about the categories and the event, please click this link

To directly register and log into the awards portal, please click this link.

THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE has been extended to June 22, 2023

Categories

Rising Stars 

This award recognizes the region’s most promising lawyers who are no older than 40 by the submission date. Past honorees are not eligible for an additional award.

Practice Areas: 

Appellate

Corporate

General Litigation

Insurance

Intellectual Property

Labor and Employment

Personal Injury

Products Liability/Mass Torts

Restructuring/Bankruptcy

Other Practice Area

500-Word Rising Stars Essay

Write an essay of no more than 500 words describing why the nominee should be selected. Describe the accomplishments during the last year that qualify the nominee for the award. This can include, but is not limited to, notable successes in the past year; pro bono or civic work; and leadership within the firm and/or legal community.

Upload Photo

Upload a high-resolution color photo of the nominee, at least 200 dpi. If the nominee is selected for an award, this photo will be used on the NYLJ website and in a print supplement.

Two References

Include contact info for two references (inside or outside of the firm/organization) for an on-the-record conversation about the nominee’s legal work and accomplishments.

Rising Stars Nominee Q&A

In 250 words or less, please have the nominee complete the following profile. You may upload a Word document answering the following questions. If the nominee is selected for an award, this profile will be used on the NYLJ website and in a print supplement.

Name, Title, Firm:

Practice Profile:

Leadership, Pro Bono and Civic Work:

Prior Experience: (include dates, titles and employer names)

Education: (include school, degree and years)

Quote from nominee: In one or two sentences, what advice would you give to young lawyers?

Distinguished Leaders

This award recognizes attorneys in leadership roles who achieved impressive results in the past year. Strong leaders are hard to come by, and we want to highlight lawyers who had great performances while demonstrating clear leadership skills leading to positive outcomes. Past honorees are not eligible for an additional award.

Distinguished Leader 500-Word Essay

Write an essay of no more than 500 words describing why the nominee should be selected. Describe the accomplishments during the last year that qualify the nominee for an award in this category. We’ve recognized a wide array of accomplishments in this category. Past honorees have led their firms to record revenue, spearheaded large-scale office relocations, implemented new programs or technology, been at the forefront of significant pro bono matters, etc.

Distinguished Leader Q&A

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awards portal to view the Q&A.

Innovation Awards: Firms

This award recognizes creative and inspiring approaches and forward-thinking firms and individuals.

Firms: This award seeks to honor law firms that push the envelope to build their businesses.

Describe, in 1,000 words or less, the firm’s specific innovation(s) and the impact it had. It could be a firm that has embraced technology to become more efficient or one that has come up with a creative approach to training and mentoring young lawyers; it could be a firm that’s created an indispensable app for clients or one that has taken a unique approach to partner retreats—the possibilities are endless.

Boiled down to its essence, this award seeks to recognize law firms that think outside the box and have demonstrated an ability to distinguish their brands in a crowded market in order to attract and retain clients, as well as talent.

Innovation Firm Award Q&A

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awardsportal to view the Q&A.

Innovation Awards: Individuals

This award recognizes creative and inspiring approaches and forward-thinking firms and individuals.

Individuals: This award seeks to honor innovative efforts by individual lawyers and legal professionals.

Individuals: This award seeks to honor innovative efforts by individual lawyers and legal professionals.

Upload Photo

Upload a high-resolution color photo of the nominee, at least 200 dpi. If the nominee is selected for an award, this photo will be used on the NYLJ website and in a print supplement.

Innovation Award Essay

Describe, in 500 words or less, the individual’s specific innovation(s) and the impact it had. The innovation could be technology-oriented, but it doesn’t have to be. We want to hear about attorneys and legal professionals who have come up with game-changing ideas for their practices or organizations and who were then able to execute on their vision.

Innovation Award Q&A

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awardsportal to view the Q&A.

Lifetime Achievement

This award honors an attorney’s accomplishments and impact on the legal community and the practice of law over an entire career.

Upload Photo

Upload a high-resolution color photo of the nominee, at least 200 dpi. If the nominee is selected for an award, this photo will be used on the NYLJ website and in a print supplement.

Two References

Include contact info for two references (inside or outside of the firm/organization) for an on-the-record conversation about the nominee’s legal work and accomplishments.

Lifetime Achievement Essay

Write an essay of no more than 1,000 words describing why the nominee should be selected. Describe the accomplishments and experiences from the nominee’s career that qualify him or her for an award in this category.

Attorney of the Year

This “MVP” award goes to the lawyer who had the most profound effect on the law or legal community in the past year or did the most to advance the cause of justice. Three finalists will be recognized; the winner will be announced at a recognition event in October.

Upload Photo

Upload a high-resolution color photo of the nominee, at least 200 dpi. If the nominee is selected for an award, this photo will be used on the NYLJ website and in a print supplement.

Two References

Include contact info for two references (inside or outside of the firm/organization) for an on-the-record conversation about the nominee’s legal work and accomplishments.

Attorney of the Year Essay

Write an essay of no more than 500 words describing why the nominee should be selected.

Litigation Department of the Year

This contest has two distinct sections: the top department in general litigation, and the top specialty practice departments. The competition is open to any law firm with a New York presence; New York lawyers must have had a significant impact on the work being presented, though the work can extend beyond New York. 

General Litigation

Litigation Results

Describe, in 500 words or less for each result, 6 to 8 litigation results that demonstrate your department’s excellence. This list can and should include trial and appellate results and could include pro bono results.

For each result, please include the names of clients, lead partners and opposing counsel, as well as contact information for all involved whenever possible. Descriptions of results should include specific dollar amounts where relevant.

Biggest Loss

Briefly describe your firm’s biggest litigation loss in the past two years, with names of opposing counsel.

Three Upcoming Matters

Give a brief description of three upcoming matters for your firm

Litigation Department Essay

Write an essay, in 1,000 words or less, explaining why your firm should be recognized, such as overcoming specific challenges and achieving specific goals.

Client References

Include 3 client references, including phone numbers or email addresses.

Litigation Department Q&A

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awardsportal to view the Q&A.

Specialty Practice

This contest has two distinct sections: the top department in general litigation, and the top specialty practice departments. The competition is open to any law firm with a New York presence; New York lawyers must have had a significant impact on the work being presented, though the work can extend beyond New York.

You may submit nominations for more than one litigation subcategory, but separate submissions will be expected for each.

Litigation Results

Describe, in 500 words or less for each result, 6 to 8 litigation results that demonstrate your department’s excellence. This list can and should include trial and appellate results and could include pro bono results.

For each result, please include the names of clients, lead partners and opposing counsel, as well as contact information for all involved whenever possible. Descriptions of results should include specific dollar amounts where relevant.

Biggest Loss

Briefly describe your firm’s biggest litigation loss in the past two years, with names of opposing counsel.

Three Upcoming Matters

Give a brief description of three upcoming matters for your firm

Litigation Department Essay

Write an essay, in 1,000 words or less, explaining why your firm should be recognized, such as overcoming specific challenges and achieving specific goals.

Client References

Include 3 client references, including phone numbers or email addresses.

Litigation Department Q&A

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awardsportal to view the Q&A.

In-House Impact

This contest recognizes outstanding work performed by general counsel and in-house legal departments.

In-house Impact Award Essay

Describe, in 1,000 words or less, the “impact” you believe merits an award. Some areas of “impact” could be, but are not limited to, innovative programs or use of technology; promoting diversity and quality of life; unique approach to a case; ingenuity in problem solving; and pro bono and community service.

In-House Impact Award Q&A

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awardsportal to view the Q&A.

Dealmakers of the Year

While New York boasts excellent litigators, it is also home to talented and hardworking transactional lawyers. Submit an essay (up to 500 words) nominating a practitioner or group in corporate, M&A, real estate, bankruptcy or another transactional practice explaining how that practitioner or group achieved excellence in the past year.

Upload Photo

Upload a high-resolution color photo of the nominee, at least 200 dpi. If the nominee is selected for an award, this photo will be used on the NYLJ website and in a print supplement.

Dealmaker of the Year Essay

Submit an essay (up to 500 words) nominating a practitioner or group in corporate, M&A, real estate, bankruptcy or another transactional practice explaining how that practitioner or group achieved excellence in the past year.

Dealmaker of the Year Q&A

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awardsportal to view the Q&A.

Diversity Initiative

Do you know a lawyer who has made a significant contribution to diversity and inclusion efforts in New York’s legal community? This is a new category this year and awards will be presented to individuals that have made important progress. Please submit an essay no longer than 500 words detailing why an individual should deserve this award.

Diversity Initiative Essay  (Please submit an essay no longer than 500 words detailing why an individual deserves this award.)

There is an additional response section to several questions—this section will be published if the nominee is selected. Please log into the awardsportal to view the Q&A.

If you have questions, please contact Pearl Wu, Recognition Desk Manager, at [email protected].