2023 annual award recipients announced for exceptional service to the attorney general Community

The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) announced the recipients of its annual awards during the organization’s annual Capital Forum event on Dec. 5, 2023. Each year, NAAG recognizes members of the attorney general community with six awards that acknowledge their contributions in a variety of areas.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost was the recipient of this year’s Kelley-Wyman Award, the Association’s most prestigious honor that is given annually to the attorneys general who have done the most to advance the objectives of NAAG.

The Attorney General Senior Staff of the Year Award, given annually to the individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise, and achievement in service of the attorneys general community and NAAG, was awarded to:

• Danielle Hagaman-Clark, Chief, Criminal Trials and Appeals Division, Michigan Attorney General’s Office

• Melissa A. Holyoak, Solicitor General, Utah Attorney General’s Office

The Attorney General Career Staff of the Year Award, which recognizes a career employee in an attorney general’s office who has distinguished themselves by providing exceptional service to NAAG and the nation’s attorneys general through exemplary expertise and achievement, was awarded to:

• George M. Elworth, Assistant Attorney General, State Operations Division, Michigan Attorney General’s Office

• Gwendolyn Cooley, Assistant Attorney General, Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office
NAAG’s research and training division, recognizes a faculty member who has significantly contributed to developing and presenting quality legal training for their counterparts in attorneys general offices with the NAAG Faculty of the Year Award. The 2023 recipients are:

• Monica Anderson, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Correctional Law Section, California Attorney General’s Office

• Joseph Micheletti, Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office

• Elizabeth Ashley Carter, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Tennessee Attorney General’s Office

The Laurie Loveland Award is given to a member of an attorney general’s staff who has evidenced leadership, collaboration, and perseverance in advancing the collective work of the states on tobacco-related issues. The award also recognizes those who have shown a spirit of teamwork and a willingness to share knowledge, assist in developing the skills of others, and work towards the well-being of all, to achieve the benefits of the landmark tobacco settlement. The 2023 recipients are:

• Charles Saunders, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Arkansas Attorney General’s Office

• Rene Tomisser, Assistant Attorney General, Washington Attorney General’s Office

The Miller-Wasden Unity Award, created to honor attorneys general for their service and their commitment to civility and bipartisanship, is named for Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.

This year, the award was given to Josh Stein, to recognize his long service to the attorney general community and his contributions to his state.

The Association also elected its new officers during the annual meeting for the upcoming year: President — Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon Attorney General; President-Elect — John Formella, New Hampshire Attorney General; Vice President — William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General.