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AWARDS BACKGROUND

In 2001, under the leadership of past president Michael H. Rubin, the Louisiana State Bar Association
instituted the Crystal Gavel Awards, designed to recognize outstanding lawyers and judges who have
been unsung heroes and heroines in their communities. A Crystal Gavel Committee was appointed to
assist with the nomination process. The Crystal Gavel Committee has not been reappointed.

In 2014-15, under the leadership of past president Joseph L. “Larry” Shea Jr., the award program was
updated and renamed the Citizen Lawyer Awards. A regional panel, which consisted of individuals in
each of the Board of Governors Districts, was appointed to assist with the nomination process. The
regional panels were not reappointed.

The recipient of the Leah Hipple McKay Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteerism continues to
be selected annually from those honored as Citizen Lawyers.

The award is named in honor of the late Leah Hipple McKay, a member of the LSBA and a deeply
committed volunteer. The award is presented to a Louisiana lawyer or judge who has made significant
long-term volunteer contributions. The Board of Governors created this award in honor of Leah's
considerable civic involvement and invaluable service provided to the LSBA during her husband
Michael W. McKay's 2004-05 presidency.

In 2015-16, under the leadership of past president Mark Cunningham, the Outreach Committee became
a special committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association. The Outreach Committee was tasked with
coordinating the nomination process. The committee made a determination that the award criteria
should be expanded. In 2016, the Outreach Committee became a Standing Committee of the Louisiana
State Bar Association and continued its work on proposed changes to the award criteria.

In 2016-17, under the leadership of President Darrel J. Papillion, it was determined that the Outreach
Committee would continue to coordinate the nomination process.

Currently, the award is presented to recipients at an event in their local area. The award recipients will
now be recognized at the LSBA Midyear meeting.

The 2016-17 Outreach Committee adopted the changes put forward by the 2015-16 Outreach Committee
on January 20, 2017. The Board of Governors considered the proposed changes and approved the
changes to the Citizen Lawyer Award criteria on January 20, 2017.