Awards
Your KACDL Board of Governors and Officershaveinstitutedan awards program similar to thatof the County and District Attorney’s Association. However, instead of issuing awards for convincing jurors to put people to death we thought it would be more appropriate to recognize the incredible work attorneysput into defending clients and protecting the rights of the accused.
The intention of these awards is not to pat each other on the back but rather to celebrate those in the trenches who are making a difference every day in the lives of people accused of crimes and those fighting to ensure that our rights guaranteed under the Constitution’s of the United States and the state of Kansas are protected and remain relevant
If you know of someone who you believe meets the criteria for any of the three awards listed below please send their names, their cities and what you believe makes them worthy of the award to KACDLAwards@gmail.com, before February 15 so that they may be reviewed by the Awards Committee prior to our next annual meeting.
The Awards Committee is Sarah McKinnon, the Public Defender in Reno County; Cal Williams, Life Member from Colby; and Stacy Donovan, the Public Defender in Shawnee County.
The board hopes that you will take these awards seriously as we believe it is long past time to recognize the outstanding work our members do every day against such incredible odds and under such adverse conditions as those in the criminal justice system.
The Clarence Darrow Award
- 2021 Winner: Audra Asher, Great Bend
- 2020 Winner: Barry Clark, Manhattan
- 2019 Winner: Carl Folsom, Topeka
- Awarded for outstanding criminal defense performance during the year
- Does not require a trial win (but it helps)
- Must be a KACDL member to win
- Given out on a yearly basis
- Decided by the Committee
The Champion of Justice Award
- 2021 Winner: Jacquelyn Rokusek, Shawnee
- 2020 Winner: Paige Nichols, Lawrence
- 2019 Winner: Michael Whalen, Wichita
- Awarded for outstanding contributions to the field of criminal defense in Kansas
- Can include Federal Courts, State Courts, and Municipal Courts
- Does not need to be for courtroom performance or the actual defense of clients, although this should be one of the more important factors that are considered.
- Could be for legal education or for community service that promotes criminal defense, but this should be something extraordinary
- Ideally would be a KACDL member, but does not have to be
- Ideally would be given out on a yearly basis, but not necessary
- Decided by the Committee
The President's Award
- 2021 Winner: Patrick M. Lewis, Olathe
- 2020 Winner: Kathleen Ambrosio, Topeka
- 2019 Winner: Les Hulnick, Wichita
- Other Winners: Jennifer Roth, Lawrence
- Awarded for "lifetime achievement" or extraordinary accomplishments that do not fall under the other categories. Contributions over a period of time, perhaps 3-5 years matter
- Must be a KACDL member
- Not likely awarded every year
- Not decided by the Committee, although the committee can have input
- Nominations by Board Members
- Decided by majority of voting Board Members present
