Benjamin H. Hill III, one of the founding shareholders of Hill Ward Henderson, will receive the Outstanding Service Award from The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation at the 59th Annual Awards Reception and Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 7, 6-10 p.m. at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Outstanding Service Award is given annually to a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation who has, in his or her professional career, adhered for more than thirty years to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession and to the service of the public.
Susman Godfrey LLP is the presenting sponsor of the 2015 banquet, one of several events being hosted by The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation during the Midyear Meeting of the American Bar Association.
Hill's practice is primarily focused in the areas of complex litigation, including professional liability, products liability and general commercial matters. He has represented many of the nation's largest law firms and public companies in litigation in Florida. He has tried numerous high-profile jury cases ranging from two days to over six months in trial. Hill has represented the Florida House of Representatives in a case involving the Florida Constitution and in an ethics case. He has represented the Florida Senate in a voting districting case and has served as special counsel to former Florida Governor, the Honorable Bob Graham.
Throughout his career, Hill has worked to improve the legal profession and the justice system. In 1993, he was appointed to the Biden Committee to consider and recommend changes to the federal court system in the Middle District of Florida. In 2005, he was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court to a commission to study certain aspects of the jury system in Florida. In 2008, he was appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to serve on the Character and Fitness Commission to review standards for Bar Admission. In 2010, Hill was appointed by the Chief Justice to the Florida Innocence Commission.
Hill's distinguished career as a bar leader includes positions as Past President of The Florida Bar; Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on The Federal Judiciary; member of the ABA Executive and Nominating Committees; Past Chair of the Conference of State Delegates; and Past Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Lawyers Professional Liability.
Long active in community organizations, Hill chairs the board of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center as well as the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. In addition, he has served on the Board of Directors of Florida House since 1998 and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hillsborough Community College in Tampa Bay, Florida.
"I am delighted we have this opportunity to celebrate Benjamin 'Ben' Hill and his selfless service to the legal profession and the community," said Kathleen Hopkins, Chair of The Fellows. "Many lawyers nominated Ben for the Outstanding Service Award, each a beneficiary of his leadership, mentorship and wisdom. Generations of lawyers learned from him that 'practicing law is a privilege and not a right,' and saw by his example how they could effectuate change through service to the community and the bar." She added, "Throughout the 45 years of his practice, Ben has been instrumental in creating a culture of professionalism and service, and is a national and local leader, serving with distinction in so many capacities. We are fortunate to have such a great leader and role model among our ranks."
Also receiving awards at the Houston event are Maryland State Officers Ava E. Lias-Booker and Kevin L. Shepherd, Outstanding State Chair Award; Stephen Gillers, Outstanding Scholar Award; and Theodore "Ted" Eisenberg, Distinguished Career in Research Award, in Memoriam. Sarah Weddington, attorney, educator, and first female general counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will give keynote remarks.
Published: Wed, Jan 28, 2015
