This award recognizes the region’s most promising lawyers who are no older than 40 by the submission deadline. We encourage nominations of all attorneys licensed to practice in New York state, whether they are solo practitioners, attorneys working at a small or midsize firm, large law firm, in-house general counsel, government employee or non-profit. Past honorees are not eligible for an additional award in this same category.

Nomination will include a 500-word essay, info about the nominee and organization, short Q&A profile, and high-resolution portrait photo. Please log into the awardsforce portal to view the full nomination questionnaire.

Practice Areas:
Appellate
Corporate
General Litigation
Insurance
Intellectual Property
Labor and Employment
Personal Injury
Products Liability/Mass Torts
Restructuring/Bankruptcy
Other Practice Area

Rising Stars 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 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.

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?

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 showing true leadership skills to help other attorneys get results. Past honorees are not eligible for an additional award, and please keep in mind that we have a separate category for Managing Partner of the Year.

Nomination will include a 500-word essay, info about the nominee and organization, short Q&A profile, and high-resolution portrait photo. Please log into the awardsforce portal to view the full nomination questionnaire.

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.

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.

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 awardsportal to view the Q&A.

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. Nomination will include an essay about the firm’s innovations and impact it had and short Q&A profile. Please log into the awardsforce portal to view the full nomination questionnaire.

Innovation Firm Award 1,000-Word Essay
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.

This award honors an attorney’s accomplishments and impact on the legal community and the practice of law over an entire career. Nomination will include an essay about why the nominee should be selected, a high-resolution portrait photo, and two references. Please log into the awardsforce portal to view the full nomination questionnaire.

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.

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.

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 September.

Nomination will include an essay about why the nominee should be selected, a high-resolution portrait photo, and two references. Please log into the awardsforce portal to view the full nomination questionnaire.

Attorney of the Year 500-Word Essay
Write an essay of no more than 500 words describing why the nominee should be selected.

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.

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.

Litigation Department of the Year: General Litigation Nomination
 

Litigation Results
Describe, in 500 words or less for each result, six to eight 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 1,000-Word 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.

Litigation Department of the Year: Specialty Practice Nomination

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. We will be accepting nominations in these practice categories:

• Real Estate
• Finance
• Intellectual Property
• Products Liability/Mass Torts
• Labor and Employment
• Insurance
• Professional Liability
• Class Action

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

Litigation Results 500-Word Essay
Describe, in 500 words or less for each result, six to eight 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 1,000-Word 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
Short responses provided by the practice leader

This contest recognizes outstanding work performed by general counsel and in-house legal departments. Nomination will include an essay about why the nominee should be selected, a high-resolution portrait photo, and a short Q&A profile. Please log into the awardsforce portal to view the full nomination questionnaire.

In-House Impact Award 1,000-Word 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.

New York boasts some of the country’s best litigators, but 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. In addition, the nomination will require a high-resolution portrait photo, and a short Q&A profile. Please log into the awardsforce portal to view the full nomination questionnaire.

Dealmaker of the Year 500-Word 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.

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 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.