A nominee must be a Chicago area licensed attorney who is employed by a unit of government, a non-profit organization or a legal clinic.

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

1) Excellence in the quality of his or her work and the length and breadth of his or her career in public service;

2) Innovation in the delivery of legal services; 

3) Leadership within the agency by which he or she is employed; and

4) Lack of public recognition for his or her dedicated efforts.