Hillsborough County Probate Court Judge Raymond A. Cloutier has been named the recipient of the 2008 Justice William A. Grimes Judicial Professionalism Award, to be presented by NHBA President Eleanor Wm. Dahar at the Annual Meeting on Friday, June 20.

Also, Gretchen L. Witt, NHBA Secretary and Chief of the Civil Law Division, US Attorney’s Office, NH District, will receive the 2008 Award for Distinguished Service to the Legal Profession.

Judge Cloutier, appointed to the Probate Court full-time in 1996 after 15 years as a part-time judge, is highly regarded for his abilities and his dedication to the resolution of matters brought before his court, the busiest in the Probate Court system. Judge Cloutier, a member of the NH Bar since 1963, will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Aug. 11, 2008.

Witt has been on the Board of Governors for a number of years, including service as a Merrimack County Governor, Governor-at-Large, and as Secretary for the past two years. For the past two years, she also served as co-chair of the Public Sector/Public Interest Task Force, which has been working on enhancing recognition and participation of attorneys in government or public service in the activities and services of the Bar Association.

Dahar said Witt should be honored for her service as a "thoughtful officer and Board member, a willing volunteer, a teacher, mentor and example."

At the Annual Meeting, the Association also will present the Donald E. Dufresne Professionalism Award.