2025-2026 ISBA Award Winners Announced

The Illinois State Bar Association would like to congratulate the award recipients and others honored for their work during the 2025-2026 bar year.

For more information about each award, many of which are presented by ISBA section councils, visit our ISBA Awards page. Also, stay tuned for a more detailed listing of award recipients, with summaries of their accomplishments, in the June edition of the Illinois Bar Journal.

The awards include:

• Austin Fleming Newsletter Editor Award:
  • Jessica Marshall—Women and the Law
• Newsletter Editors Service Award: 
• 5 Years of Service:
  • David P. Dorner—State & Local Taxation
  • Mia O. Hernandez—Trusts & Estates
  • Megan Liston Mahalik—State & Local Taxation
  • Lisa Velez—Animal Law
• 10 Years of Service: 
  • Sandra M. Blake—Diversity Leadership
  • Khara A. Coleman—Racial & Ethnic; Minorities & the Law
  • John H. Maville—Senior Lawyers
  • Bernard G. Peter—Corporate Law Departments
• 15 Years of Service: 
  • Craig R. Hedin—Mineral Law
• Carole K. Bellows Women of Influence Award: 
  • Gail Eisenberg
• Civics Education Award: 
  • Joseph Lehman
  • Justice Jesse Reyes
  • Justice Elizabeth Rochford
• Community Leadership Award: 
  • Caleb Anderson
  • Kylie Peters
• CLE Achievement Award: 
  • Genevieve Miller
• Diversity Leadership Award: 
  • Athena Taite
• Elmer Gertz Human Rights Award: 
  • Judge Jennifer S. Nolen
• John E. Thies Excellence in Legal Education Award: 
  • Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Illinois College of Law
  • International Human Rights Clinic at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
• John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award: 
  • Yolanda Riley – Individual Award (under 10 years of experience)
  • Stacey McCullough – Individual Award (over 10 years of experience)
  • Drendel & Jansons Law Group – Law Firm or Corporate Law Department, Less Than 25 Attorneys
  • State Farm – Law Firm or Corporate Law Department, Less Than 25 Attorneys
  • Illinois Judges Association (IJA) – Bar Association 
• Joseph R. Bartylak Memorial Legal Services Award: 
  • Kate Scott - Individual Award, Less Than 10 Years of Experience
  • Diane Goffinet – Individual Award, More Than 10 Years of Experience
• Law Enforcement Award: 
  • Megan Brooks
• Law Student Division Public Service Award:
  • Akanksha Balekai, University of Illinois College of Law
• Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award: 
  • Jennifer Irmen
• Richard H. Teas Legislative Support Award: 
  • Dina Ninfo
• Roz Kaplan Government Service Award: 
  • Dr. Mary Milano
• Young Lawyer of the Year: 
  • Taylor Tyler – Cook County 
  • Jason Blumenthal – Outside Cook County