Family Law Awards

Melody Saint-Saens, 2015 Family Law Award
One of the 2015 Family Law Award honorees is Mélody Saint-Saëns, Staff Attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid, Contra Costa County Regional Office.

The Family Law Awards recognize family law advocates for their outstanding dedication and commitment to legal services for low-income Californians. Awards are given to those who have demonstrated exemplary service to low-income clients in various categories.

How to nominate someone for the awards

All LAAC members, LAAC individual supporters, and court staff may submit nominations. Nominations typically open in late fall, and awards are given during the Family Law/Self-Help Conference the following year.

To submit a nomination for consideration, please use this form. Awards will be given to those who have demonstrated exemplary service to low-income clients in each of the following categories:

  • Direct Representation (legal services family attorney)
  • Pro Bono Work (private attorney)
  • Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center Service Provider

If you have any questions, please contact us at membership@laaconline.org.


2017 Family Law Awards

Kimberly Aston-Young, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Self-Help Center, Superior Court of California, Torrance
Courtney Black, Hueston Hennigan, Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice
Grace Mitsuhata, Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
More details on 2017 honorees

2016 Family Law Awards

Lucia Reyes, Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center
Salvador Reynoso, Superior Court of Orange County Self-Help Centers
Commissioner Richard G. Vogl (Ret.), Legal Aid Society of Orange County

2015 Family Law Awards

Robert Uriarte, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Mélody Saint-Saëns, Bay Area Legal Aid
Dana Schumacher, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
More details on 2015 honorees

2014 Family Law Awards

Arnold & Porter LLP: Emily Hostage, Angel Garganta, Michael Berta, and Preetam Shingavi
Melanie Snider, Family Law Facilitator for Butte and Lake Counties and S.H.A.R.P. Managing Attorney
Deborah Chase, 2013 Joint Award of Merit recipient (special; see press release)
More details on 2014 honorees and press release

2013 Family Law Awards

Harry Jacobs, Administrative Office of the Courts (Court Staff)
Amanda Fleming, Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center (Direct Representation)
More details on 2013 honorees

2011 Family Law Awards

Ana Maria Garcia, Direct Representation, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
Peter Nestor, Pro Bono Attorney, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and Bay Area Legal Aid
Lollie Roberts, Family Law Facilitator, Superior Court of California County of Sacramento

2010 Family Law Awards

Ana Storey, Direct Representation, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Linda Puls McGuire, Pro Bono Work, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Domestic Violence Clinic

2009 Family Law Awards

Minouche D. Kandel, Direct Representation, Bay Area Legal Aid
Jennifer Ani, Pro Bono Work, Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP) of the San Francisco Bar Association
Guillermo Fernández Villalobos, Family Law Facilitator, Superior Court of California County of Imperial

2008 Family Law Awards

Laura Fry, Direct Representation, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Benjamin Kuhm, Pro Bono and Practicing Family Law Attorney
Nancy McGie, Family Law Facilitator, Superior Court of California, Counties of Butte, Glenn, and Tehama

2006 Family Law Awards

Emberly Cross, Direct Representation, San Francisco Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic
Cynthia Holton, Pro Bono Attorney, Public Law Center
Diane Altamirano, Family Law Facilitator, Superior Court of California County of Imperial

2004 Family Law Awards

Jerel McCrary, Direct Representation, Bay Area Legal Aid
Marilyn Bierer, Pro Bono Work, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Suzanne Clark Morlock, Family Law, Butte County Self-Help Assistance Referral Program

2003 Family Law Awards

Jane Preece, Directing Representation, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Kathryn Kirkland, Pro Bono Work, Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP) of the
San Francisco Bar Association
Louise Bayles-Fightmaster, Family Law Facilitator, Superior Court of California County of Sonoma