Philip H. Lam Diversity Impact Award
The Philip H. Lam Diversity Impact Award (the “Award”), one of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s (“LACBA”) highest awards, represents LACBA’s long-term commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within LACBA and the legal community. The Award, originally named the “Diversity Impact Award,” was established by the LACBA Board of Trustees (“Board”) in 2019. It was renamed in 2021 in honor of Philip H. Lam, LACBA’s first Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach. The Award may be given only once during each bar year (July 1 to June 30) and need not be given every bar year.
Award Criteria
The Award is given to an individual, a bench officer, a government legal office, a public-interest law organization, a law firm, a corporation, or other legal service organization for a long and distinguished history of increasing inclusion and diversity in the practice of law. Recipients of the Award shall possess lengthy, demonstrable and excellent track records of effectuating diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, including but not limited to nurturing, mentoring and/or promoting to leadership positions, attorneys, bench officers and/or other legal professionals of diverse background, or of socio-economically disadvantaged upbringing; and/or opening doors to students of diverse background or of socio-economically disadvantaged upbringing desirous of entering the profession of law. Contributions may also include those made while representing clients as well as those made as an author, educator, administrator, public policy advocate, bar leader or community leader.
Eligibility
The Award Committee may nominate an individual or organizational entity who/that has not previously received the Award and has met the foregoing criteria.
See Philip H. Lam Diversity Impact Award Guidelines for more details.
