Each year, the New Hampshire Bar Association gives out awards at its Midyear and Annual Member Meetings to recognize outstanding achievement and service among its membership. See the links below to find out more about each award and past recipients. We encourage you to nominate your peers for their accomplishments.
Awards given at the Annual Meeting
E. Donald Dufresne Award for Outstanding Professionalism
To honor the memory of E. Donald Dufresne this award is presented to an attorney the best fits the following:
A professional lawyer is an expert in law
Pursuing a learned art in service to clients and in the spirit of public service;
And engaging in these pursuits as part of a common calling
To promote justice and public good.
| 2022 | Pamela E. Phelan |
| 2021 | Hon. Richard E. Galway |
| 2021 | Bill Glahn |
| 2019 | William C. Saturley |
| 2018 | James J. Tenn, Jr. |
| 2017 | George Moore |
| 2016 | R. David DePuy |
| 2015 | Hon. John Kissinger |
| 2014 | Eileen Fox |
| 2013 | Thomas R. Watson |
| 2012 | Gretchen L. Witt |
| 2011 | John B. Garvey |
| 2010 | Christopher M. Keating |
| 2009 | Graham P. Chynoweth (posthumously at the Midyear Meeting) |
| 2008 | Peter G. Beeson |
| 2006 | Emily G. Rice |
| 2005 | Arpiar G. Saunders |
| 2004 | Cathy J. Green |
| 2003 | Frederic K. Upton |
| 2002 | Dort S. Bigg |
| 2001 | Randall F. Cooper |
| 2000 | Arnold R. Falk (posthumously) |
| 1999* | William L. Chapman |
Justice William A. Grimes Award for Judicial Professionalism
To honor the memory of Justice William A. Grimes this award is presented to a judge the best fits the following:
The judges therefore should always be men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man or body of men.”
– John Adams, 1776
| 2022 | Hon. M. Kristin Spath |
| 2021 | Master Thomas G. Cooper |
| 2019 | Chief Justice Robert J. Lynn |
| 2018 | Hon. Gillian L. Abramson |
| 2017 | Justice Carol Ann Conboy |
| 2016 | Hon. J. Michael Deasy |
| 2015 | Hon. Pamela D. Albee |
| 2014 | Hon. Albert Cirone Jr. (retired) |
| 2013 | Hon. Harold W. Perkins (retired) |
| 2012 | Hon. Steven Houran |
| 2011 | Hon. Paul Moore |
| 2010 | Chief Justice John T. Broderick |
| 2009 | Hon. Pamela D. Kelly |
| 2008 | Hon. Raymond A. Cloutier |
| 2007 | Hon. Joseph A. DiClerico, Jr. |
| 2006 | Hon. Martha W. Copithorne (Marital Master ret.) |
| 2005 | Hon. Paul H. Lawrence |
| 2004 | Hon. John R. Maher |
| 2003 | Hon. Patricia C. Coffey, Hon. Carol Ann Conboy, Hon. Kathleen A. McGuire and Hon. Robert E.K. Morrill |
| 2002 | NH Supreme Court Bench: Hon. David A. Brock, Chief Justice, Hon. John T. Broderick, Jr., Hon. Joseph P. Nadeau, Hon. Linda S. Dalianis and Hon. James E. Duggan |
| 2001 | Hon. Gerald F. Giles |
| 2000 | Marital Master Peter J. Bourque |
| 1999* | Hon. Walter L. Murphy |
Distinguished Service to the Legal Profession
This award is presented to the nominee who best exhibits service to the legal profession.
| 2022 | Mitchell M. Simon |
| 2021 | David H. Bradley |
| 2019 | Jennifer A. Eber |
| 2018 | Wilfred “Jack” Sanders, Jr. |
| 2017 | Charles Douglas |
| 2016 | Justice Carol Ann Conboy |
| 2015 | John Burwell Garvey |
| 2014 | Mary Searles |
| 2013 | James R. Starr |
| 2012 | Philip Waystack |
| 2011 | Robert A. Wells |
| 2010 | John B. Andrews |
| 2009 | Charles A. DeGrandpre |
| 2008 | Gretchen L. Witt |
| 2007 | Hon. John R. Maher (retired) |
| 2006 | John F. Bomster |
| 2005 | Michael S. DeLucia |
| 2004 | Edward H. Adamsky |
| 2003 | Robert C. Varney |
| 2002 | Bruce W. Felmly |
| 2001 | Howard J. Zibel |
| 1999 | William S. Harrold; John C. Norton |
| 1998 | Richard Y. Uchida |
| 1997 | Andrew D. Dunn |
| 1996 | Hon. William F. Batchelder |
| 1994 | Stephen L. Tober; Linda S. Paquette |
| 1993 | Paul W. Chant |
| 1992 | Nashua Bar Association, Donald E. Mitchell & Deskbook Committee |
| 1991 | Edward B. Mulligan, IV |
| 1990 | Jack B. Middleton, Senator Warren B. Rudman |
Awards given at the Midyear Meeting
Vickie M. Bunnell Award for Community Service
Instituted in 1998 to honor the memory of Vickie M. Bunnell “A Country Lawyer” and to applaud the community spirit that is a hallmark of our profession this award is presented to an attorney from a small firm (four or fewer attorneys) who has exhibited dedication and devotion to community by giving of their time and talents, legal or otherwise.
| 2023 | Chrissy Hanisco |
| 2022 | Martha M. Jacques |
| 2021 | Bernard H. Campbell |
| 2020 | Jack P. Crisp, Jr. |
| 2019 | Kimberly A. Weibrecht |
| 2018 | H. Alfred Casassa |
| 2017 | Robert C. Varney |
| 2016 | Roger Phillips |
| 2015 | James Gleason |
| 2014 | Jonathan Frizzell |
| 2013 | Christopher T. Regan |
| 2012 | James Noucas |
| 2011 | George C. “Kit” Carter |
| 2010 | Quentin J. Blaine |
| 2008 | Solo & Small Firm Attorneys |
| 2007 | Matthew Lahey |
| 2006 | Mary L. Wade |
| 2005 | David D. King |
| 2004 | Katherine B. Stearns |
| 2003 | Vicki S. Roundy |
| 2002 | Paul D. Desjardins |
| 1999 | Gerard J. Boyle |
| 1998 | Ignatius MacLellan |
Distinguished Service to the Public
This award is presented to the nominee who best exhibits service to the public on behalf of the administration of justice.
| 2023 | Sarah T. Blodgett |
| 2022 | Gilles R. Bissonnette |
| 2021 | Howard J. Zibel |
| 2020 | Barbara R. Keshen |
| 2019 | Janet F. DeVito |
| 2018 | Chief Justice Linda Stewart Dalianis |
| 2017 | Hon. Joseph Laplante |
| 2016 | Judge Joseph DiClerico |
| 2015 | Judge Edward “Ned” Gordon |
| 2014 | Gordon J. MacDonald |
| 2013 | Margaret H. Nelson |
| 2012 | Roland Morneau |
| 2011 | Charles Greenhalgh |
| 2010 | Jack B. Middleton, David L. Nixon, Kimon S. Zachos |
| 2009 | Carol L. Kunz |
| 2008 | Rule 170 Volunteers |
| 2007 | Paul S. Moore |
| 2006 | John C. Norton |
| 2005 | Military (active) members of NHBA |
| 2003 | Members of the Judicial Selection Commission: Atty. Ken Brown, Atty. John Dwyer, Atty. Fred Hall, Atty. Katherine Hanna, Chair, Ms. Kathy Keller, Atty. Marilyn McNamara, Atty. Diane Nicolosi, Ms. Marcia Sink, Mr. William Walker, Atty. Phil Waystack, Chief William Wrenn |
| 2002 | W. John Funk |
| 1999 | Hon. Robert D. Marshall |
| 1998 | Thomas B.S. Quarles |
| 1996 | Hon. William Batchelder |
Outstanding Service in Public Sector / Public Interest Law
This award is presented to a member of the New Hampshire Bar, or an organization employing eligible members, with at least five years of service in government, military, law enforcement, or public interest law services (including prosecution, public defense, legal advocacy in low-income communities or for individuals with disabilities at a nonprofit organization), or at another nonprofit organization.
| 2023 | Melissa L. Davis |
| 2022 | Cordell Johnston |
| 2021 | Lucy C. Hodder |
| 2020 | Kay E. Drought |
| 2020 | Lisa L. Wolford |
| 2019 | Lynne J. Clay |
| 2018 | Besty Paine |
| 2017 | Maureen F. O’Neil |
| 2016 | Dorothy Graham |
| 2015 | Joseph Malfitani |
| 2014 | Jeffrey Strelzin |
| 2013 | Alan Linder |
| 2012 | Barbara Keshen |
| 2011 | Marshall Buttrick |
| 2010 | Cheryl A. Sessions |
| 2009 | B. Randy Hawkes* |
| 2009 | James E. Fender* |
Philip S. Hollman Award for Gender Equality
The award, established on the occasion of Judge Hollman’s retirement from the Superior Court bench in 2003, honors Judge Hollman’s efforts as a stalwart advocate for gender equality in the legal system.
| 2023 | Hon. Susan B. Carbon |
| 2022 | Lindsay E. Nadeau |
| 2021 | Hon. Landya B. McCafferty |
| 2020 | Christina A. Ferrari |
| 2019 | Holly B. Haines |
| 2018 | Joni N. Esperian |
| 2017 | Joseph Keefe |
| 2016 | Sherry Young |
| 2015 | Jaye L. Rancourt |
| 2014 | Heather E. Krans |
| 2013 | Hon. Gillian L. Abramson |
| 2012 | Hon. Gary E. Hicks |
| 2011 | Hon. Linda S. Dalianis |
| 2010 | Jennifer L. Parent |
| 2009 | Linda S. Paquette |
| 2008 | Katharine A. Daly |
| 2007 | Honey Hastings |
| 2006 | Linda S. Johnson |
| 2005 | Maureen Raiche Manning |
| 2004 | NH Public Defender Program |
Other Awards
Paralegal Professionalism Award
This annual award is presented to the nominee who best exhibits a high degree of professionalism: possesses an outstanding level of job-related knowledge; has motivation that exceeds expectations; is considered a role model for other paralegals; and promotes paralegal work as a profession.
| 2021 | Diane Aikens, Office of Public Guardian |
| 2020 | Monica Marcotte, Cleveland, Waters and Bass P.A. |
| 2019 | Tricia G. Bell, Atkins Callahan PLLC |
| 2018 | Margaret O. Conway, Orr & Reno |
| 2017 | Nancy Dorr, McLane Middleton |
| 2016 | Priscilla Sleeper, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green |
| 2015 | Christine Foley, Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella |
| 2014 | Kari Fridley, Niederman Stanzel & Lindsey |
| 2013 | Anna McLaughlin, Boutin & Altieri |
| 2012 | Stacey Peters, Preti Flaherty |
| 2011 | Suzanne Blake, City of Concord Solicitor’s Office |
| 2010 | Melissa McNally, Bourque & Associates |
| 2009 | Linda Hammond Lewis, Wiggin & Nourie |
| 2009 | Candace C. Gebhart, NH Legal Assistance |
| 2007 | Anikó Bouley, GoffWilson Professional Association |
| 2006 | Renee C. Wormell, Citizens Bank NH |
| 2005 | Deborah Snow, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield |
| 2004 | Sue Gendron, Hebert & Uchida |
| 2003 | Michele Berardo, Orr & Reno |
| 2001 | Thomas Van Beaver, Merrimack County Attorney’s Office |
| 2000 | Heather Molkentine, Hamblett & Kerrigan |
| 1999 | Lorinda Gaillard Monroe, Ransmeier & Spellman |
| 1998 | Rebecca L. Myers, Boynton, Waldron, Doleac, Woodman & Scott |
| 1997 | Cheryl Meachen, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton |
| 1996 | Merry Sweeney, Garner & Minkow |
| 1995 | Kathleen Williams-Fortin, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton |
| 1993 | Charles A. Barkie, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton |
| 1994 | McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton |
| 1993 | Felicia Bessey, Feeney, Adams & Bennett |
| 1992 | Pauline Leman, Wiggin & Nourie |
| 1991* | Betty Jean Bailey, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green |
Special President’s Award
| 2021 | Virginia A. Martin |
| 2020 | Eileen Fox |
| 2019 | Raymond “Ry” Sumner Perry, Jr. (posthumously) |
| 2017 | David M. Rothstein |
| 2015 | Hon. John T. Broderick, Jr. |
| 2014 | John Tobin |
| 2014 | Foreclosure Relief Project, HomeHelpNH, 2-1-1 NH |
| 2000 | Richard Gagliuso |
| 2000 | Nina C. Gardner |
| 1999 | Jack B. Middleton |
| 1992 | Tom Rath |
Awards no longer given by the NHBA
Bruce E. Friedman Pro Bono Award (as of 2021, presented by 603 Legal Aid)
This award recognizes a NH Bar member and UNH Law alumni member who embodies the values and work of Bruce Friedman, the late founder of the civil practice clinic at the law school and a legend in the world of civil legal services in New Hampshire.
| 2019 | Thomas A. Fredenburg (posthumously) |
| 2018 | Kirk C. Simoneau, Nixon, Vogelman Slawsky & Simoneau |
| 2017 | Marilyn Mahoney, Harvey & Mahoney PA |
| 2016 | Catherine E. Shanelaris, Shanelaris & Schirch PLLC |
| 2015 | Jack P. Crisp Jr., The Crisp Law Firm PLLC |
| 2014 | Quentin Blaine, Blaine Law Office PLLC |
| 2013 | Steven B. Scudder |
| 2012* | Marilyn Billings McNamara, Upton & Hatfield |
L. Jonathan Ross Award for Outstanding Commitment to Legal Services for the Poor (as of 2021, presented by 603 Legal Aid)
This award was named for Jon Ross in 1988 to recognize his work on the state and national level to mobilize bar leaders to support civil legal services for the poor along with his unsurpassed leadership and dedication to pro bono legal services.
| 2020 | Roger B. Phillips |
| 2018 | Quentin J. Blaine |
| 2017 | Brian Shaughnessy |
| 2015 | Marilyn Mahoney |
| 2014 | Charles Greenhalgh |
| 2013 | David L. Nixon |
| 2012 | Pamela Peterson |
| 2011 | Steven Scudder |
| 2009 | Richard Y. Uchida |
| 2008 | Katherine Bucklin Stearns |
| 2007 | Chief Justice John T. Broderick |
| 2006 | Patrick T. Hayes |
| 2005 | Alethea Froburg |
| 2004 | Michael P. Hall |
| 2003 | Stephanie A. Bray |
| 2002 | John C. Norton |
| 2002 | Sanders & McDermott Law Firm |
| 2000 | Phil Rader (posthumous) |
| 1999 | Steven V. Camerino |
| 1998 | Donald F. Hebert |
| 1997 | Elliott Berry |
| 1996 | Marilyn B. McNamara |
| 1995 | Robert D. Gross |
| 1994 | Chief Justice David A. Brock & Chief Justice Joseph P. Nadeau |
| 1993 | Bruce Friedman |
*First such award given.
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