FAWL Leaders in the Law are FAWL Members who have made meaningful contributions in their communities through their legal service or volunteer activities. They have provided a positive role model for FAWL members.
2010 (Inaugural Year)
Margaret Mathews
Deborah Larned Werner
The Hon. Claudia Rickert Isom
The Hon. Catherine Peek McEwen
Cynthia Mikos
2011
Judge Elizabeth G. Rice
Leslie Reicin Stein
Kristin A. Norse
Susan Whaley Fox
Marian P. McCulloch
2012
Karen Buesing
The Hon. Emily Peacock
2013
The Hon. Caroline Tesche
Jeanne T. Tate
The Hon. Catherine Catlin
Jo Ann Palchak
Rosemary Armstrong
2014
Julianne M. Holt
Julie Sneed
The Hon. Marva L. Crenshaw
The Hon. Mary Scriven
2015
Christine Derr
Fentrice Driskell
Katherine Earle Yanes
Luis Viera
Paige Greenlee
2016
Irene Bassel Frick
Victoria Cruz-Garcia
Judge Claudia Isom
2017
Amy Lee Bandow
Jenay Eunice Iurato
Vivian Cortes Hodz
2018
Mamie Wise
Hon. Cynthia Oster
2019
Erin Jackson
Mandi Ballard Clay
2020
Sarah Kay
John Schifino
2021
Leslie Schulz-Kin
Hon. Jessica G. Costello
2022
Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy
2023
Starr Linette Brookins
Jena Hudson
Nicole Gehringer
2024
Alexa "Lexie" Larkin
Jen Feld
2025
Christian Katchuk
Beatriz "Betty" Miranda
The HAWL Trailblazer award recognizes an established female attorney in the Tampa Bay area who has exhibited throughout her life and career a pioneering spirit, courageous leadership, outstanding contributions to the legal community, and who has refused to let her career and her contributions be limited or defined by the expectations of others.
These Trailblazers demonstrate a spirit of excellence that has lent credibility to the practice of law by women. They use their legal skills and knowledge to benefit those less able to protect themselves. HAWL upholds these award recipients as examples for others to follow.
2012 (Inaugural Year)
Marie Garcia Garrett
2013
Julianne M. Holt
2014
The Hon. Emily Peacock
Karen Buesing
2015
Marsha G. Rydberg
2016
The Hon. Virginia Hernandez Covington
2018
Margaret Mathews
2019
The Honorable Marva Crenshaw
2020
Rosemary Armstrong
2025
Mandi Clay
HAWL’s Achievement Award is presented to persons who have demonstrated a commitment to the purpose, goals, and mission of HAWL and who has excelled in his or her career, overcome traditional stereotypes associated with women, promoted the status of women within the profession, and/or promoted the status of women in the State of Florida.
1990 Senator Helen Gordon Davis
1991 The Hon. Susan Bucklew
1992 Commissioner Sylvia Rodriguez Kimball
1993 Chief Justice Rosemary Barkett
1994 Patricia Seitz
1995 Mayor Sandra Freedman
1996 Martha Barnett
1997 Emeline Acton
1998 Betty Castor
1999 Justice Peggy A. Quince
2000 Magistrate Judge Mary S. Scriven
2001 Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins
2002 Mabel Bexley
2003 Mayor Pam Iorio
2004 Representative Arthenia Joyner
2005 The Hon. Pat Frank, Clerk of the Court
2006 The Hon. Florence Foster (retired)
2007 The Hon. Marva L. Crenshaw
2008 The Hon. Barbara Fleischer
2009 Jeanne T. Tate
2010 Margaret Mathews
2011 Connie Pruitt
2012 Chief Jane Castor
2013 Gwynne Young
2014 Susan Johnson Velez
2015 Commissioner Sandra Murman
2016 Kristin Norse
2017 Judge Claudia Isom
2018 Julianne Holt
2019 Brittany Maxey-Fisher
2022 Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy
2024 Katherine Yanes
2025 Judge Catherine Peek McEwen
HAWL President’s Award recognizes a HAWL member who has made extraordinary contributions to HAWL.
2010 (Inaugural Year)
Katherine Yanes
2011
Kristin Norse
2013
Jena Hudson
2014
Victoria Nast Ferrentino
Mandi Clay
2015
Sarah Kay
2016
Rachael Greenstien
2017
Amy Bandow
2018
Hon. Samantha Ward
2019
Mandi Clay
2020
Ciara Willis
2021
Marisol Ruiz
Katherine Yanes
2024
Shaina Thorpe
Caroline Spradlin
2025
Jamila Little
Sara Jawad
Awarded to recognize a HAWL member who has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and legal ethics over his/her career.
2017 (Inaugural Year)
John Schifino
2018
Hon. Cynthia Oster
2019
Christine Derr
2023
Jen Feld
2024
Lyndsey Siara
Beatriz "Betty" Miranda
2025
Erin Jackson
Christian Katchuk
Awarded to a HAWL member for his/her selfless and inspirational donation of legal expertise to improve the lives of those assisted
2017 (Inaugural Year)
Katherine Yanes
2018
Nancy Lugo
2019
Sarah Kay
2023
Tori Simmons
2024
Samantha Sibley
2025
Jena Hudson
Awarded to a HAWL member whose dedication to law students and commitment to excellence in legal education and mentoring have made a significant contribution to the quality of life and professional development of law students through HAWL’s mentoring program.
2012 (Inaugural Year)
Sarah Kay
2017
Deborah Larned Werner
2018
Rachael Reese
2023
Deborah Larned Werner
2025
Judge Michael Bagge-Hernandez
The Thomas E. Baynes Friend of HAWL Award recognizes a person or entity who has faithfully demonstrated a commitment to HAWL and the purpose, goals and mission of HAWL.
2011 (Inaugural Year)
The Hon. Thomas E. Baynes (awarded posthumously)
2015
Deborah Larned Werner
2018
Hon. Claudia Isom
2019
Hon. Manuel Menendez
2023
Lynette Reynolds
2024
Sarah Kay, Kay Law Firm
2025
Oscher Consulting
This award is given to a young lawyer who is actively involved in the HAWL YLD committee and/or HAWL leadership, and who exhibits professional excellence and dedication to serving the legal profession and community. The recipient must possess an excellent reputation for integrity and professionalism and demonstrate a commitment to HAWL’s mission .
2024 (Inaugural Year)
Paige Tucker
Amanda Keller
2025
Nicole Gehringer
This annual award is given to a graduating Leadership Academy fellow who exemplifies the traits of a future leader in HAWL’s Community.
2024 (Inaugural Year)
Tracie Reese
A Judge whose career exemplifies the highest standards of integrity and independence; who is knowledgeable of, and faithful to, the law; who is patient, dignified, and courteous to all; and who endeavors to improve the administration of justice and the role of law.
2025 (Inaugural Year)
Judge Frances Perrone
A HAWL member who shines brightly, and who exemplifies that “kindness is magic.” This Honoree goes above and beyond and is a selfless servant leader.
2025 (Inaugural Year)
Tracie Reese