AAML Northern California Chapter Awards

The Chapter currently issues two annual awards to standouts in Family Law. The Fellow of the Year Award recognizes those Fellows who have made extraordinary contributions to the community, outside of their AAML participation, to charitable events, charitable organizations or to the enhancement of the legal profession. The C. Rick Chamberlin Award recognizes a non-AAML Fellow who has made extraordinary contributions to the family law community.

Fellow of the Year

• 2024: Michèle M. Bissada
• 2023: Hal Bartholomew
• 2022: Michael C. Tobriner
• 2020: Geniveve Ruskus
• 2018: Gretchen Wallacker and Clay Greene
• 2017: Tony Dick
• 2016: Garrett Dailey
• 2015: Ann Fallon
• 2014: Pamela Pierson
• 2013: Jennifer Jackson
• 2012: Lorie Nachlis
• 2011: Ron Granberg
• 2010: Bob Blevans and Richard Barry
• 2009: Sherry Cassedy, Shannon Minter, and Teresa Stewart
• 2008: Margaret Anderson, Christopher Emley, Ann Fallon, and Diana Richmond
• 2007: Suzie Thorn
• 2006: John McCall

C. Rick Chamberlin

• 2024: Terrance J. Evans
• 2023: Hon. Monica F. Wiley
• 2022: Susun Kim, Contra Costa Family Justice Center
• 2020: Susan Myres, AAML Texas Chapter
• 2018: Hon. Marjorie Slabach
• 2017: Larry Moskowitz
• 2016: Judge Beverly Wood
• 2014: Beth Hassett, WEAVE
• 2013: Claire Barnes, Kids' Turn
• 2012: Dawn Gray
• 2011: Judith Soley (posthumously)
• 2010: Robert McCreadie

DeGoff and Sherman Award:

The DeGoff and Sherman Award for Meaningful Contributions to the Improvement of Family Law was given from 2008 to 2016.  Recipients were lawyers, judicial officers, mental health professionals, journalists, academics, community activists, local or state legislators, government officials. All family lawyers and judicial officers throughout the state nominated potential recipients. A $2,500 contribution was made in the recipient's honor to the charity of the recipient's choice.

Recipients

• 2016: Nancy Lemon, Family Violence Appellate Project
• 2015: Emberly Cross, Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic
• 2014: Betty Nordwind, Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
• 2013: Stephen Adams, Friends of the Joseph Branch
• 2012: Hon. Donald B. King
• 2011: Jeanne B. Ames (posthumously), mediator
• 2010: Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco