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Alumni Awards

The Sam W. Pipes Distinguished Alumnus Award

The Sam W. Pipes Award is given by The Law School Foundation to outstanding alumni of The University of Alabama School of Law who have distinguished themselves through service to the Bar, The University of Alabama, and the School of Law.  The award is named for the late Samuel Wesley Pipes (Class of 1938), who was a partner in the Mobile Law firm of Lyons, Pipes & Cook until his death in 1982.  Pipes was a director of the Law School Foundation from 1965-80, serving as president from 1966-68.  He also chaired the statewide fundraising campaign, which, in 1965, laid the groundwork for the formation of the Alumni Society.

Submit a Nomination for the Sam W. Pipes Distinguished Alumnus Award

Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor

Established in 2019 by the Board of Governors of The University of Alabama School of Law. The Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor recognizes outstanding achievements of Law School Graduates.

Criteria for Membership: Prior and future Pipes Award recipients shall be inducted automatically into the Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor. The following are mandatory criteria and qualifications for invitation and induction into the Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor (if the candidate is not a Pipes Award recipient):

  • The individual is a graduate of the Law School or is a current or former faculty member of the Law School who has contributed significantly to the life of the Law School over an extended period of time;
  • The individual has at least 25 years of practice or service in the legal profession, whether in private practice, as in-house counsel, as a judge, in academia, or in the business, nonprofit or governmental sectors, or any combination thereof;
  • The individual must be at least 50 years of age (if living during the time of induction); and
  • The individual has an excellent reputation in his or her field.

In addition to each of the mandatory criteria and qualifications, above, the criteria and qualifications for invitation and induction into the Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor shall include one or more of the following (if the candidate is not a Pipes Award recipient):

  • The individual, through his or her professional achievements or support of the Law School, has enhanced significantly the Law School and the profession of law at the local, state, national and/or international level;
  • The individual has had a distinguished career and brought honor to the Law School;
  • The individual has made outstanding contributions to his or her chosen profession and to society as a whole;
  • The individual has made sustained and outstanding contribution in public, pro bono and/or community service; and/or
  • The individual has devoted distinguished and special leadership and service to the Law School since his or her graduation.

Submit a Nomination for the Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor

Alabama Rising Young Attorney Award

The Alabama Law Alumni Society Leadership Council with the support of Board of Governors of The University of Alabama Law School Foundation approved the establishment of the Alabama Rising Young Attorney, awarded annually to recognize one or more rising young alumni who have made outstanding contributions benefiting the profession, community, and The University of Alabama School of Law.

Criteria for Membership: The recipient of the Alabama Rising Young Attorney award shall meet the following criteria:

  • The individual is a graduate of the Law School who has graduated within the past 10 years;
  • The individual has shown significant leadership and purposeful service to the legal profession, their community, and to the Law School;
  • The individual supports the development of his/her peers in the early stages of their legal career; and
  • The individual has a growing reputation in his or her field.

Submit a Nomination for the Alabama Rising Young Attorney Award