College of Law Alumni of Color Awards

Whom We Honor

The Syracuse University College of Law Alumni of Color Awards are presented on behalf of the Syracuse University Law Alumni Association (SULAA) Inclusion Network and the College of Law to celebrate the distinguished achievements in any field of endeavor by living members of the Syracuse law family—alumni, current and former faculty and staff, students, parents and friends–for service ‎to the College of Law, the legal profession, Syracuse University, or the world ‎at large.

The Awards 

BLSA William Herbert Johnson Legacy Award 

The BLSA William Herbert Johnson Legacy Award is named in honor of Mr. William Herbert Johnson, the first African American graduate of the College of Law.  The award is granted to an outstanding individual or organization who in the course of their career or endeavors has been a trailblazer and achieved excellence in the areas of legal service, legal education, and/or social justice. Recipients have made extraordinary contributions to the legal profession, legal education, the legal system, or social justice through activism, leadership in diversity and equality, support and mentorship to colleagues, students, and members of the community.   

LALSA Legacy Award

The LALSA Legacy Award recognizes Syracuse University College of Law alumni and alumnae who have made significant contributions to the community and have achieved, through their professional career, excellence and recognition in their fields. This award also celebrates and recognizes the dedicated efforts that members of the Latin American community and other members from these countries of origin have made in overcoming the underrepresentation of Latinas/os/x in the legal field. Their hard work serves as inspiration to the College of Law's new students, staff and faculty to continue educating and working towards excellence as well as recognizing their continued work with current and future lawyers.

Through these awards, the Syracuse University Law Alumni Association Inclusion Network and the College of Law celebrate diversity and demonstrate a true appreciation of our alumni’s unique gifts and, as such, we seek to enhance the building of a community that genuinely values diversity. Based on this vision the criteria are as follows:

Awards Criteria

• Service to the community, local and/or nationwide: The recipient has demonstrated commitment to service of underrepresented minorities in their field of work as well as through their volunteer efforts. 
• Accomplishment in their chosen field. The recipient has demonstrated integrity and excellence while developing expertise in their chosen field(s).
• Empowering members of the community: The recipient has provided mentorship opportunities and/or assisted in the development of new lawyers thereby positively impacting the expectations of clients and other individuals in the community. 

The Nomination Process

The Syracuse University Law Alumni Association Inclusion Network seeks nominations from alumni, the College of Law community, and friends identifying deserving members of our community to honor.

We hope you will take a moment to share the names and stories of candidates, and we would be delighted to read about their accomplishments—articles, testimonials, or other forms of supporting information and documentation are welcome. Nominations are collected through our online nomination form, or by email at SULAA@law.syr.edu. If you're nominating by email, please include the following information:

• Candidate's name
• Candidate's address and current contact information
• Candidate's connection to the College of Law and graduation year, if a graduate
• Candidate's background and education
• A statement of reasons why you believe this candidate is deserving of recognition by the College of Law, providing as much detail as possible, including a description of achievement(s) that merit recognition
• Any supporting information (articles, testimonials, other recommendations, statements by other nominators)
• Your name and contact information, as to be contacted by SULAA representatives with questions or to request further information

NOTE: Nomination submission is now open for 2021! 

Nominations are reviewed by the SULAA Inclusion Network Awards Committee, and at their recommendation, honorees are selected by the Dean and the SULAA Inclusion Network.

Awards Ceremony

Award recipients are honored at an awards ceremony during the College of Law's Syracuse Law Alumni Weekend each fall, and they also will be invited to interact with students, faculty, and friends of the College in classes, lectures, or symposia in connection with the weekend.

---