During the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting July 31 to Aug. 6, President Mary L. Smith will award Presidential Citations to six distinguished members of the legal community for their profound contributions to the profession, democracy and the rule of law.
For this year’s gathering on leading-edge legal issues, Smith will recognize three esteemed Chicagoans — Robert A. Clifford, Judge Ann Claire Williams and John Levi — for their significant contributions to advancing the rule of law and serving the legal profession in the city and beyond.
Smith also will honor three influential figures as vanguards of democracy — Ken Frazier, Jeh Johnson and Judge J. Michael Luttig — for their dedication to strengthening democratic values, promoting diversity and ensuring the integrity of the legal and constitutional framework of our society.
Each recipient will be honored at signature events during the Annual Meeting as part of its broad and dynamic agenda with rich opportunities for learning and networking, including the Distinguished Guests Dinner on Aug. 1, celebrating international bar leaders; the Democracy Summit Luncheon on Aug. 2, focusing on the defense of democratic values; and the two-day ABA House of Delegates Meeting on Aug. 5-6, where the ABA’s key legal policies are shaped and debated.
Chicago Leaders and Legal Luminaries
Bob Clifford, 2024 ABA Annual Meeting Host Committee: Clifford, the founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, will be honored for his leadership, which has markedly advanced legal education and professionalism. With over four decades of commitment to the ABA, his roles have included Illinois state delegate in the House of Delegates, chair of the Litigation Section and Fund for Justice and Education and as a board member of the Rule of Law Initiative. Clifford's dedication is exemplified by his creation of the Clifford Symposium on Tort Law and Social Justice, now in its 30th year, which promotes civil justice reform. To be awarded at the Distinguished Guests Dinner, Aug. 1.
Judge Ann Claire Williams, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary: Retired federal judge and current of counsel at Jones Day in Chicago, Judge Williams will be honored for her exemplary service and leadership. She is celebrated for her third term as chair of the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, where her extensive judicial experience and history as a nominee for two Senate judicial confirmations have proven invaluable. Williams has been a trailblazer in diversifying the judiciary and enhancing legal processes, notably as the first woman of color on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois and later on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Her global influence extends through her work with various international tribunals and legal training programs worldwide. To be awarded at the Distinguished Guests Dinner, Aug. 1.
John Levi, chair of the Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors: Levi, the longest-serving chair of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), will be recognized for his unparalleled commitment to justice as LSC marks its 50th anniversary. Appointed by President Barack Obama to the LSC board and confirmed by the Senate, Levi has led numerous initiatives to enhance legal services for the underserved throughout his tenure, which has spanned the administrations of three U.S. presidents. His leadership includes the creation of the Pro Bono Task Force and significant legislative achievements aimed at increasing legal aid funding for disaster relief and ongoing support, exemplifying his dedication to promoting equal access to justice. To be awarded at the ABA House of Delegates Meeting, Aug. 5.
Champions of Democracy
(all to be awarded at the Democracy Summit Luncheon, Aug. 2)
Ken Frazier, special advisor to the ABA Task Force for American Democracy: Renowned for his legal and executive leadership at Merck, Frazier has been a vocal advocate for diversity and constitutional values in the corporate and legal spheres. As a key figure in establishing OneTen, a coalition dedicated to creating economic opportunities for Black Americans, Frazier has significantly impacted racial and economic justice. His commitment extends through his service on the ABA Task Force for American Democracy and his influential roles with the LSC’s Leaders Council and the National Constitution Center. Frazier’s career is marked by numerous accolades, including the Anti-Defamation League’s Courage Against Hate Award and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s National Equal Justice Award.
Jeh Johnson, co-chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy: Johnson, former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security, is celebrated for his profound dedication to the rule of law and significant contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal field. His leadership spans multiple high-impact roles, including serving as the general counsel of the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force, and as an assistant U.S. attorney. Johnson’s ongoing commitment to public service and governance is reflected in his co-chairing of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy and his active participation in private practice at Paul, Weiss. His exemplary career has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including The American Lawyer’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Award.
Judge J. Michael Luttig, co-chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy: Judge Luttig, former U.S. Court of Appeals judge for the 4th Circuit, who served as assistant U.S. attorney general and counselor to the U.S. attorney general, is honored for his tireless dedication to upholding democracy and the rule of law throughout his distinguished career. Notable for his courageous testimony at the Jan. 6 hearing, Luttig has significantly influenced America’s legal framework. His leadership as co-chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy has been transformative in mobilizing and platforming support for democratic principles. Luttig’s legal acumen is highly sought after in the corporate world, where he currently serves as counselor and special adviser to the Coca-Cola Company and its board of directors.
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