Page 103 - 2023aprilBOG
P. 103
Louisiana State Bar Association’s Guardian of Diversity Award recipient recommendation:
The Awards subcommittee’s recommendation is that the Guardian of Diversity Award should not be
presented this bar year. The submissions did not meet the necessary award criteria.
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 the
LSBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the following changes to the Committee’s awards:
1. The Trailblazer and Human Rights Awards were combined. The new award bears the new name
“Louisiana State Bar Association Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award.” It will be
awarded by the Association annually at the LSBA Annual meeting.
The “Louisiana State Bar Association Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award”
recognizes individual attorneys and judges who champion the ideals set forth by Chief Justice Bernette
Joshua Johnson, the first African American chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, who has
always exhibited an unwavering commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the legal
profession.
The lawyer must be admitted to practice in Louisiana, the judge must have been elected or appointed to
