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The Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award

Award Criteria

A nominee…

  • Must be age 36 or under on the date nominations are due; and
  • Must be a member of The Chicago Bar Association.

 The recipient will be selected based on one or more of the following criteria:

  • The nominee’s contributions to furthering the ideals of the legal profession;
  • The nominee’s contributions to making the organized bar an effective force for improving the legal profession and helping the overall community; and
  • The nominee’s demonstrated commitment to pro bono and community service beyond the nominee’s job responsibilities.*

*For lawyers who hold formal pro bono or public interest positions in their firms, law schools, or organizations, the nomination should focus on highlights and achievements beyond their professional obligations.

How to Nominate

To nominate someone for this award, submit the online form below together with any of the following documents by Friday, May 1st, 2026:

  • A narrative stating why you are nominating this individual. This narrative should include a summary of how the nominee meets the criteria for the award for which they are nominated including the following:* the nominee’s contributions to furthering the ideals of the legal profession; the nominee’s contributions to making the organized bar an effective force for improving the legal profession and helping the overall community; and the nominee’s demonstrated commitment to pro bono and community service.
  • A current copy of the individual’s resume or biography
  • A maximum of three support letters
  • Any relevant information about the nominee, such as newspaper articles or blog posts.

* For lawyers who hold formal pro bono or public interest positions in their firms, law schools, or organizations, the nomination should focus on highlights and achievements beyond their professional obligations.

If you have any questions or would like to submit additional materials, please contact CBF Director of Pro Bono & Training, Sarah Blair, at sblair@chicagobarfoundation.org.  

Nomination Form