Page 105 - BOGManual_2021August

2019-20 Awards Subcommittee Recommendation
Louisiana State Bar Association’s Guardian of Diversity Award
Louisiana State Bar Association Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award

The Awards subcommittee met on March 18, 2020 and March 25, 2020. The Diversity Committee
met to approve the recommendations on April 24, 2020. The LSBA Board of Governors approved
the recommendations on August 29, 2020.

The recipients were awarded at the LSBA Annual Meeting on June 10, 2021.

Louisiana State Bar Association’s Guardian of Diversity Award recipient:
Kean Miller Connection

Louisiana State Bar Association Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award
recipient:
Hon. Carl E. Stewart, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Shreveport, LA

Awards Background
On January 22, 2010, the LSBA Board of Governors approved a diversity award to recognize
outstanding efforts made by (1) a bar association, (2) law firm or law department, (3) an individual
attorney or judge, (4) a court, or (5) a community organization or individual in promoting diversity
in the legal profession, in particular, to recognize efforts ensuring the full and equal opportunity
of all persons for entry and advancement in Louisiana's legal profession. It proposed that the
diversity award should bear the name “Louisiana State Bar Association Human Rights Award,”
and be awarded by the Association annually during its annual meeting.

On April 19, 2013, the LSBA Board of Governors approved to amend the Human Rights Award
guidelines and criteria to allow the award to be presented annually in two categories - individual
and organization.

On February 19, 2013, the LSBA Board of Governors approved a diversity award to recognize
outstanding efforts made by members of the bar from a group underrepresented within the
Louisiana legal profession who have demonstrated excellence or accomplished greatness in the
face of great adversity. It proposed that the diversity award should bear the name “Louisiana State
Bar Association Trailblazer Award,” and be awarded by the Association annually during its annual
meeting.

On November 13, 2015, the LSBA Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession approved
recommendations made by the Awards subcommittee on November 13, 2015. On January 15, 2016

6