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Peter S. Gilchrist III and Wade M. Smith Awards

The Criminal Justice Section is pleased to solicit nominations for the Peter S. Gilchrist III and Wade M. Smith Awards.

At the 2008 Inaugural Awards Dinner in Charlotte, Peter S. Gilchrist III and Wade M. Smith were honored as a Prosecutor and Defense Attorney who exemplified the highest ideals and professionalism through their career. The  Peter S. Gilchrist III and Wade M. Smith Awards will be presented and celebrated in person when possible at the Gilchrist/Smith Awards Dinner. The Criminal Justice Section Council invites you to submit nominations for both awards. Anyone can submit nominations. Please forward this request for nominations to your local bar and encourage them to submit nominations for both awards.

Nominees from previous years are automatically considered in subsequent years.

Nominations Guidelines

Please consider the following criteria in selecting a colleague for this honor:

  1. Actively practicing as a prosecutor [DA, ADA, US Attorney, AUSA or AG] or defense attorney;
  2. At least 15 years of continuous practice as a prosecutor [DA, ADA, US Attorney, AUSA or AG] or defense attorney;
  3. An exemplary record and reputation within the legal community, and who abides by the highest ethical standards;
  4. Has been an active, positive force inside and outside the courtroom in working to improve the criminal justice system;
  5. Does not need to be a member of the NCBA.

Nomination Form

Award | Criminal Justice Section Peter S. Gilchrist III and Wade M. Smith Awards
Award Nomination *

Nominee Information

Maximum upload size: 52.43MB

Contact Information for Person Submitting Nomination

Certification

Past Recipients

Peter S. Gilchrist III – Prosecutor Award Recipients

  • 2008 – Peter S. Gilchrist, III
  • 2009 – Edward W. Grannis, Jr.
  • 2010 – William D. Kenerly
  • 2011 – C. Colon Willoughby, Jr.
  • 2012 – Calvin W. Colyer
  • 2013 – James J. Coman
  • 2014 – Sandra J. Hairston
  • 2015 – Barton M. Menser
  • 2016 – Howard J. Cummings
  • 2017 – W. Clark Everett
  • 2018 – Howard P. Neumann
  • 2019 – Kimberly Overton Spahos
  • 2020 – David Saacks
  • 2021 – Pansy Glanton
  • 2022 – Andrew M. Gregson
  • 2023 – Elizabeth Fay Dierauf

Wade M. Smith – Defense Attorney Award Recipients

  • 2008 – Wade M. Smith
  • 2009 – Locke T. Clifford
  • 2010 – James P. Cooney, III
  • 2011 – Joseph B. Cheshire, V
  • 2012 – James E Ferguson, II
  • 2013 – Frederick G. Lind
  • 2014 – Mark W. Owens, Jr.
  • 2015 – Thomas C. Manning
  • 2016 – Sean P. Devereux
  • 2017 – Michael A. Grace
  • 2018 – Claire J. Rauscher
  • 2019 – John P. “Jack” O’Hale
  • 2020 – H. Gerald Beaver
  • 2021 – David Freedman
  • 2022 – Robert Carl “Bert” Kemp III
  • 2023 – Kearns Davis