Awards

The CDWBA seeks nominations for its annual awards to be presented at our Installation Dinner on August 15, 2024. Please email all nomination materials to Alexis Kimball at administrator@cdwba.org no later than June 21, 2024.

To obtain a copy of the nominations form please download it here.

To obtain the form for the Carol S. Knox Family Friendly Employer Award,  please download it here.

Please note that a short paragraph about why the person is qualified for the award is all that is necessary. Other materials, such as a nominee’s resume, biography, supporting letters of recommendation, awards received, and news items can be helpful, but are not required to nominate someone.

To see award recipients of past years, please click here.

CDWBA 2024 Donald Partyka “Unsung Hero” Award

 This award gives a well-deserved spotlight to an individual who has gone above and beyond their duties without seeking anything in return. The recipient of this award embodies altruistic character traits of compassion, courage, selflessness, humility, and bravery. It recognizes someone who puts the needs of others before their own and has consistently made a difference in their community and profession by helping others. 

HON. Judith S. Kaye Distinguished Attorney Member Award 

This award honors an outstanding attorney member for a singular outstanding achievement, longstanding significant involvement, or a lifetime of constancy of purpose in advancing the status of women in the law and in society.  The stated criteria for the award are: member of the CDWBA; achievement of professional excellence, or a provider of significant service to CDWBA and/or the community; some degree of leadership in the community or CDWBA; a mentor to young people and newly admitted attorneys; and an advocate of women in society and in the legal profession.  This is the highest award bestowed by the CDWBA on a member.

CDWBA Exemplary Community Service Award

This award honors an outstanding non-attorney who has distinguished themself by service to the greater Capital District community in a manner which is consistent with CDWBA’s Mission.  The stated criteria for the award are:  significant service to, or leadership in, the community at-large by either (1) promoting the advancement of women who are involved in or affected by the legal system, (2) encouraging the fair and impartial administration of justice, or (3) providing other sustained acts of public service and community education.

Kimberly A. Troisi-Paton Leadership Award

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an enduring commitment to the CDWBA and/or the community through consistent leadership, perseverance, and selfless dedication to the greater good.  The recipient is typically someone who leads by example and whose contributions provide sustainability to the CDWBA, to the community and/or to women in general.  The recipient’s volunteer or community activities are often undertaken in balance with devotion to family and friends, and they are typically someone whose impact is far greater or wide-ranging than they expected it to be.  The nominee may be either a lawyer or a non-lawyer.  Preference will be given to women nominees and to members of the CDWBA, however, consideration may be given to others provided that they meet the award criteria and their volunteer activities and contributions to the community are particularly exemplary and/or have benefitted women in general or the CDWBA.

Outstanding New Lawyer Award

This award is to be given to a CDWBA member who, as of December 31, 2019, has been a member of the bar for not more than five (5) years, and who has made noteworthy contributions to the CDWBA, and outstanding achievements within the profession and/or outstanding contributions to the community.

Carol S. Knox Family Friendly Employer Award

This award is given each year to a legal employer in the Capital District that demonstrates a strong commitment to family friendliness by maintaining policies and practices that assist its employees in achieving balance between their work and family commitments.  This award is in memory of Carol S. Knox, a longtime member of the CDWBA and devoted mother, who cared passionately about the need to improve family friendliness in the legal profession.