Hall of Fame Awards

Since 2014, the Desert Bar Association and the Warren G. Slaughter-Richard I. Roemer Inn of Court have co-hosted a Judge and Lawyer Hall of Fame Awards event. The event recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the legal and non-legal communities and demonstrated excellence in their profession.

Awards include:

• Distinguished Lawyer Award: The Distinguished Lawyer Award is given to a lawyer who has been in practice for more than ten years and who has distinguished himself or herself through exemplary professionalism and civility in the practice of law as well as through dedication to the community through civility, professionalism, charitable work and public service.
  
  
• Outstanding Young Lawyer Award: The Outstanding Young Lawyer Award is given to a lawyer who has been in practice for ten or fewer years and who has demonstrated sterling character, unquestioned integrity, and a dedication to the highest standards of ethics, civility, and professionalism.
  
  
• Outstanding Jurist Award: The Outstanding Jurist Award is given to a jurist who has demonstrated traits such as integrity, honesty, fairness, objectivity, courtesy, civility, collegiality, patience, ethics, decisiveness, courage, compassion, common sense, adaptability, superior intellect and legal knowledge, effective oral and written communication skills, ability to work under pressure, a commitment to due process and the rule of law, a commitment to improving access to our courts, and a commitment to promoting outreach programs to educate the public on the court system.

2018 DISTINGUISHED LAWYER AWARD

The DBA is thrilled to announce that Brian S. Harnik, Esq. is the recipient of the DBA’s 2018 Distinguished Lawyer Award. Brian has been practicing law in the Coachella Valley for many years and is a well-respected trial lawyer who also volunteers his time to charitable activities and community events. The DBA salutes and congratulates you Brian! 

2018 OUTSTANDING JURIST AWARD

On September 23, 2018, the Coachella Valley’s legal community lost an outstanding jurist and terrific person. The late Honorable Thomas N. Douglass, Judge of the Superior Court will be honored and remembered with the Joint DBA Inn of Court 2018 Outstanding Jurist Award. 

ATTENDING THE AWARDS DINNER

2018 Distinguished Lawyer Award and the 2018 Outstanding Jurist Award will be presented at the 5th Annual DBA-Inn of Court Judge and Lawyer Hall of Fame Event on Friday, December 14, 2018. California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin H. Liu will be the evening’s distinguished keynote speaker, so RSVP soon on the DBA Events Page for the big event on December 14th!

Hall of Fame Award Winners

Distinguished Lawyer Award Winners
2018 Brian S. Harnik, Esq.
2017 Martin Nethery, Esq.
2016 Jon Shoenberger, Esq.
2015 Rodney Lee Soda, Esq.
2014 Joseph Gibbs, Esq.

Outstanding Jurist Award Winners
2018 Honorable Thomas N. Douglass
2017 Honorable Harold Hopp
2016 Honorable Lawrence W. Fry
2015 Honorable Robert G. Taylor
2014 Honorable Douglas P. Miller

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award Winners
2017 Christy Holstege, Esq.
2016 Karina Cardenas-Orlando, Esq.
2015 Christoffer J. Thomsen, Esq.
2014 Kira L. Klatchko, Esq.

To learn more about this year's Hall of Fame Awards and RSVP for this prestigious event, please visit our Upcoming Events page.

Contact Event Chairperson, Ed Cross to learn more about the Hall of Fame Awards.

2019 Hall of Fame

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2018 Hall of Fame

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2017 Hall of Fame

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2016 Hall of Fame

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2015 Hall of Fame

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Upcoming Events

• Desert Bar Association
  COMMON INJURIES FROM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS "Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional" - Buddha

  Tuesday, April 21, 2021
  12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  MCLE: 1 Hour General

• Desert Bar Association
  The Judicial Appointment Process: What You Need to Know

  The Judicial Appointment Process:
  What You Need to Know
  
  A special program for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
  
  Tuesday, May 11, 2021 ~ 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  (via Zoom, hosted by California Lawyers Association)