To mark Tony Mauro's retirement after nearly 40 years of covering the U.S. Supreme Court – half of them with ALM – ALM Media is launching a new award to honor lawyers who zealously advocate for freedom of the press. It will be called the Tony Mauro Media Lawyer Award.

The award will be given at the annual American Lawyer Industry Awards event December 4 in New York City. It will recognize lawyers who, during the year, have taken the lead in protecting press freedom – whether they are litigating for access to court or other government documents and institutions, or defending individual journalists and media organizations. They can be lawyers who protect journalists in all kinds of media, including online outlets, print and broadcast, and student journalists as well. Lawyers who are in private practice as well as nonprofits from around the country will be eligible.

We eagerly welcome nominations for potential winners of the award. Here are details:

– We intend to give out one award in this category, though that could change depending on extraordinary circumstances.

– The winner could be an individual or a team, and can be lawyers who protect journalists in all kinds of media, including online outlets, print and broadcast, and student journalists as well. Lawyers who are in private practice as well as nonprofits from around the country will be eligible.

– The award will recognize media advocacy that took place during the current calendar year, rather than lifetime achievement.

– Nominees should submit a one-page description of their media advocacy action, its impact and what it meant to the client and to the broader goal of freedom of the press or open access. We will accept supporting documents, but don't require them.

– The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2019. Please email submissions to Gina Passarella, editor-in-chief of The American Lawyer, and to Tony Mauro. Their email addresses are: [email protected] and [email protected].