THE AWARD
The FMJA Executive Board established the FMJA Civics Champion Award in 2025 to honor and highlight a person or entity who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to civics or who has made substantial contributions to civics programs. Magistrate Judges are leaders in civics education and outreach, and the FMJA has prioritized civics engagement as one of its core values, which this award will celebrate and promote.
ELIGIBILITY and CRITERIA
Nominees may be any federal judge, attorney, law firm, law school, or other organization. Nominees should demonstrate a sustained and continuous contribution, or a single exceptional contribution, to promoting civics within the federal judiciary and the legal profession.
NOMINATION PROCESS
A nomination may be made by any FMJA member by submitting a written nomination packet.
SELECTION PROCESS
The Civics Education & Outreach Committee will review each nomination and recommend an honoree to the FMJA Executive Board. The final decision is left to the discretion of the FMJA Executive Board. The recipient will be presented the award during the FMJA Convention in July.
To be considered, the nomination form must be completed and include an award justification that addresses the above award criteria and identifies the nominee’s contributions to civics.
Please direct any questions about the award program to Civics Education & Outreach Committee Co-Chairs Benjamin Cheesbro and Kate Vaughan.
Nominations must be received by March 13, 2026.