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OUR AWARDS

Each year, MDFAWL presents awards to deserving women and men who demonstrate a commitment to and passion for the professional advancement of women lawyers and the promotion of women’s rights.

MDFAWL Awards Committee accepts internal nominations of Miami-Dade FAWL members for awards presented by The Florida Bar, FAWL, and other organizations. The Committee will review all internal nominations and select an individual to nominate on behalf of MDFAWL.  Click here to find out more about these awards and to submit a nomination.

WHAT COULD WE ACCOMPLISH IF WE KNEW WE COULD NOT FAIL.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Women Making History Award

The Women Making History Award is awarded annually during the month of March, which is Women’s History Month. The award recipient exemplifies the ideals of professional achievement, perseverance, and dedication to women's issues. Her accomplishments and passion pave the way for the new women leaders of today's generation. She is a trailblazer.

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Women Making History

Past Women Making History Award Recipients

  • 2004: Edith Osman

  • 2005: Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Pariente

  • 2008: Patricia Ireland & Sookie Williams

  • 2009: Hilarie Bass

  • 2010: Janet Reno

  • 2011: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman & Professor M. Minnette Massey

  • 2012: The Honorable Marcia G. Cooke

  • 2013: The Honorable Bertila Soto

  • 2014: Donna E. Shalala

  • 2015: Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis & Professor Mary Anne Franks

  • 2016: State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle

  • 2017: County Attorney Abigail Price Williams

  • 2018: Melanie Damian

  • 2019: Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Lagoa

  • 2020: Kimberly A. Cook

  • 2021: Miami-Dade Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava

  • 2022: The Honorable Myriam Lehr

  • 2023: The Honorable Cecilia M. Altonaga

  • 2024: The Honorable Corali Lopez-Castro

Honorable Theodore


Past Honorable Theodore Klein Award Recipients

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  • 2008: The Honorable Joseph P. Farina

  • 2009: John Kozyak

  • 2010: Benjamine Reid

  • 2011: Steven W. Davis

  • 2012: Gerald I. Kornreich

  • 2013: The Honorable John W. Thornton

  • 2014: The Honorable Milton Hirsch

  • 2015: Ira Leesfield

  • 2016: The Honorable Scott Bernstein

  • 2017: Patrick Montoya

  • 2018: Jerry Hamilton

  • 2019: The Honorable Rodolfo A. Ruiz II

  • 2021: The Honorable Donald "DJ" Cannava

  • 2022:  Paul S. Singerman

  • 2023: Stephen N. Zack

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The Honorable Theodore "Ted" Klein Award

Judge Theodore Klein is recognized as one of the sharpest legal minds in South Florida, having had a storied career as a defense lawyer, federal prosecutor, and federal magistrate. This award recognizes a male lawyer or judge who, like the Honorable Theodore Klein, is a member of MDFAWL and has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to advancing the position of women in the legal profession.

Mattie Belle Davis Award

Mattie Belle Davis was the only woman in Florida to pass the Florida Bar Examination in 1936.  In 1959, she was appointed to the Metropolitan Court of Dade County, which later was absorbed into the county court system of Dade County.  She retired from the bench in 1980 but continued to serve as a retired judge until 1996.  Judge Davis was a founding member of (State) FAWL in 1951 and led the organization as President in 1957‑58.  She also served as President of the National Association of Women Lawyers in 1965-66. She was passionate about and committed to FAWL, serving as the organization's Historian until her death in January, 2004.

 

This award is presented annually to an MDFAWL member and jurist who exemplifies the ideals of professional achievement, perseverance, and dedication that were demonstrated by the late Judge Davis.

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Mattie Belle

Past Mattie Belle Davis Award Recipients

  • 1987: Roberta Fulton Fox

  • 1988: Janet Reno

  • 1989: Carrie Meek

  • 1990: Elaine Gordon

  • 1991: The Honorable Gill S. Freeman

  • 1992: The Honorable Rosemary Barkett

  • 1993: The Honorable Cindy S. Lederman

  • 1994: The Honorable Patricia A. Seitz

  • 1995: Ellen Freidin

  • 1996: The Honorable Lenore Nesbitt

  • 2000: Edith G. Osman

  • 2002: Sharon L. Langer

  • 2003: The Honorable Ellen Leesfield

  • 2004: The Honorable Sandy Karlan

  • 2005: Elizabeth Baker

  • 2006: The Honorable Laurel Myerson Isicoff

  • 2007: The Honorable Leslie B. Rothenberg

  • 2008: The Honorable Jacqueline Hogan Scola

  • 2009: Cynthia A. Everett

  • 2010: Marcia Cypen

  • 2011: State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle

  • 2012: Melanie E. Damian

  • 2013: Lisa Lehner

  • 2014: Katherine Ezell

  • 2015: The Honorable Lisa S. Walsh

  • 2016: Julie Braman Kane

  • 2017: Deborah Baker-Egozi

  • 2018: Michelle Suskauer

  • 2019: The Honorable Carroll J. Kelly

  • 2022: The Honorable Bronwyn C. Miller

  • 2023: Katie Phang

  • 2024: Judge Melissa Damian

Law Firm Champion

Law Firm Champion of Women Award

This award is presented annually at MDFAWL’s Installation and Awards Dinner in recognition of a law firm with at least one office in Miami-Dade County that has championed the advancement of women in the legal profession.

 

The MDFAWL Board of Directors will consider actions taken by the nominated firms’ Miami-Dade County office(s) in the following areas: hiring and retaining women; implementing general employment practices and procedures that increase or enhance the representation of women in leadership positions in the legal profession; promoting women to equity partnership and positions in firm leadership; and implementing firm policies that are intended to retain and promote women.

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  • 2023:  Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

  • 2024:

    • Firms with 49 or fewer attorneys: Heise Suarez Melville, P.A.

    • Firms with 50 or more attorneys: Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP​

Gem Award

The MDFAWL Gem Award recognizes an individual whose invaluable contributions and tireless efforts have advanced our organization’s mission. Through exceptional fundraising, advocacy, and dedication to promoting MDFAWL’s public presence, this gem illuminates the path for our members and leadership. This award is presented only in special circumstances based on a history of extraordinary service.

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Past Gem Award Recipients:

  • 2024: Jody Shulman

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YLD Pro Bono Award

YLD Pro Bono Award

The YLD Pro Bono Award recognizes the public service or legal aid performed by a young lawyer (younger than 36 or who has not practiced for more than five years in any jurisdiction) who provides outstanding contributions to those in need of legal services. A nominee must be admitted to practice in Florida. Please Note: Current Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Board of Governors (and any former members who have been on the YLD Board of Governors within the past three years) are not eligible to be nominated. 

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The term Pro Bono is derived from the phrase pro bono publico meaning “for the good of the public.” The purpose of this award is to encourage more Florida young lawyers to freely contribute their time and expertise in providing legal services to people in their community who cannot otherwise afford those services. In some instances, this will include legal services to charitable organizations that serve the poor. The emphasis of this award is on legal service to the poor.

Each year, the MDFAWL Awards Committee accepts internal nominations for the YLD Pro Bono Award.  The Committee will review all internal nominations and select an individual to nominate on behalf of MDFAWL.  All nominees must be a member of MDFAWL. 

 

The deadline for submission to be considered as MDFAWL’s nominee is Friday, September 13, at 11:59 p.m. 

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The 2024 application can be found here.

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