Awards
Each year, the ABA Law Student Division recognizes the achievements of individual law students, law school organizations, and law schools on a national level through the Division’s Annual Awards program.
Award winners will be announced in the summer of 2021.
Award Categories
National awards are presented to ABA-approved law schools, students, and student organizations from ABA-approved law schools in the following categories:
- Diversity Award
- Public Interest Award
- Student Bar Association Award
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Award (Rookie or Veteran)
- Membership and Activity Award
- Law School Newspaper Award
The Division reserves the right not to bestow award(s) in any given year.
Nominations must be approved by your Law School Dean or Assistant Dean and received via the electronic Nomination Form by the ABA Law Student Division on or before 11:59pm CDT on April 30, 2021.
Award Nomination Instructions and Forms
Henry J. Ramsey, Jr. Diversity Award
Recognizes contributions toward the achievement and advancement of diverse individuals.
Judy M. Weightman Memorial Public Interest Award
Recognizes outstanding contributions to underrepresented groups or public interest causes.
Student Bar Association Award
Recognizes the efforts of an SBA to create a better law school environment and positive image.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Award
Recognizes VITA sites for providing individuals in need with a means for obtaining assistance filing their income tax.
Membership and Activity Award
Recognizes law schools for outstanding ABA membership efforts, involvement, and activity in the ABA Law Student Division.
Law School Newspaper Award
Recognizes outstanding student-run law school newspapers.
2020 Award Winners
Dean Henry J. Ramsey, Jr. Diversity Award
George Washington University School of Law
Student Bar Association Award
Florida State University College of Law
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Award
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Law School Newspaper National Award of Excellence
Santa Clara University School of Law
2019 Award Winners
Diversity Award
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Public Interest Award
Florida State University College of Law
Student Bar Association Award
Florida State University College of Law
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Award
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Law School Newspaper Award
University of Virginia School of Law
2018 Award Winners
Diversity Award
Widener University – Delaware Law School
Public Interest Award
Pepperdine University School of Law
Student Bar Association Award
The Florida State University College of Law
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Award
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Law School Newspaper Award
University of Virginia School of Law
Membership and Activity Award
George Washington University Law School
2017 Award Winners
Diversity Award
Emory University School of Law
Public Interest Award
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
Student Bar Association Award
The Florida State University College of Law
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Award
Southwestern Law School
Law School Newspaper Award
University of Virginia School of Law
2016 Award Winners
Diversity Award
Southwestern Law School
Black Law Students Association
Public Interest Award
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Student Bar Association Award
Georgetown University Law Center
Membership and Activity Award
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Award
University of Virginia School of Law
Law School Newspaper Award
Harvard University Law School
The Harvard Law Record
Contact Information
American Bar Association
Law Student Division
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
abalsd@americanbar.org
1 (800) 285-2221