Nominations for SAYLA Annual Awards are open through February 24, 2022! Please submit nominations to [email protected].  

SAYLA Annual Awards

Each year, SAYLA is proud to grant awards to individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to the Bar, the community, and to the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association in particular.  Award winners are selected by simple vote of the Board of Directors following a nomination period each Spring, but nominations may be sent to the board president at any time.  Nominations should include a letter of recommendation and a resume or link to a firm/linked-in bio.  Local award winners are submitted for possible additional recognition on the statewide level by the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA), and national recognition by the ABA Young Lawyers Division.  In 2010, for example, past SAYLA president David Evans received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from SAYLA, TYLA, and the ABA.  The three annual awards are as follows:

The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes one attorney who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring young lawyers in his or her legal community.  OM nominations should include at least one letter of recommendation from a SAYLA member.

The Liberty Bell Award is presented to a non-lawyer who is significantly engaged in community service that: (1) promotes a better understanding of government, especially the Bill of Rights; (2) encourages greater respect for the law and the courts; (3) stimulates a deeper sense of individual responsibility, so that citizens recognize their duties and their rights; (4) contributes to the effective functioning of our institutions of government; and/or (5) instills better understanding and appreciation of the law

The Honorary Young Lawyer Award is given to a member of the judiciary for their service to SAYLA and young lawyers at the annual Courthouse Tour & Judicial Reception in October of each year.  The Board of Directors does not accept nominations for this award.  You can read more about the Courthouse Tour and Judicial Reception here.