The DC Bar Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Jerrold Scoutt Prize!

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How to Submit a Nomination

Please submit nominations and supporting materials for the 2026 Scoutt Prize by 5:00 PM on March 16, 2026, to: nominations@dcbarfoundation.org.

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Criteria:

• The nominee must be an attorney who is currently working full-time, or who has been employed full-time for a significant portion of his or her legal career, by an organization that provides direct, hands-on legal services to poor or disadvantaged persons in the District of Columbia.

• The organization itself must be one which has received or is eligible for a grant from the District of Columbia Bar Foundation.

• The nominee must have demonstrated a compassionate concern for his or her clients while exhibiting a high degree of skill as an attorney on their behalf.​

 

Required Materials:

• A cover letter

• The nominee’s curriculum vitae

• Supporting materials, like articles of interest or letters of support, are highly encouraged.​

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About the Scoutt Prize​

The Foundation administers the prestigious Jerrold Scoutt Prize, established by the firm of Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger (now KMA Zuckert LLC), in honor of the public interest commitment of one of its founding partners, Jerrold Scoutt, Jr. The Scoutt Prize currently comes with a $5,000 reward.

 

Given annually, the Scoutt Prize recognizes a full-time legal services lawyer who has demonstrated a career-long compassionate concern for his or her clients while exhibiting a high degree of skill in representing them.​ The DC Bar Foundation is honored to have recognized dozens of public interest attorneys through the Prize since 1993. ​​​

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PAST SCOUTT PRIZE RECIPIENTS

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2025

Rebecca Goldfrank, DC Superior Court

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2024

Tina Smith Nelson, Legal Counsel for the Elderly

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2023

Tracy Goodman, Children's Law Center

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2022

Jonathan Smith, Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

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2021

Rebecca Lindhurst, Bread for the City

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2020

Beth Mellen, The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

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2019

Daniel M. Clark, Rising for Justice

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2018

Philip Fornaci, DC Prisoners’ Project with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

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2017

Rochanda Hiligh-Thomas, Advocates for Justice and Education

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2016

Jennifer L. Berger, Legal Counsel for the Elderly

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2015

Kathryn M. Doan, Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition

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2014

James D. Bishop, Catholic Charities Legal Network of the Archdiocese of Washington

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2013

Su Sie Ju, Bread for the City

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2012

Mark E. Herzog, DC Bar Pro Bono Program
Dorene Haney, DC Law Students in Court

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2011

Erin M. Loubier, Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Services

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2010

Eric S. Angel, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia
Vytas V. Vergeer, Bread for the City Legal Clinic

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2009

Shirley M. Williams, Legal Counsel for the Elderly

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2008

Sandra J. Bernstein, University Legal Services

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2007

Diane Weinroth, The Children’s Law Center and American University Washington College of Law

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2006

Prof. Edward Allen, UDC David A. Clarke School of Law

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2005

Jeannine C. Sanford, Bread for the City

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2004

R. Scott McNeilly, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless

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2003

Anya Sykes, Ayuda

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2002

Rhonda Dahlman, Legal Counsel for the Elderly

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2001

Joe Tulman, UDC David A. Clarke School of Law

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2000

Jan May, Legal Counsel for the Elderly

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1999

Ellen Scully, Columbus Community Legal Clinic

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1998

Patricia Mullahy Fugere, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless

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1997

Joan Strand, GWU Law School, Civil Litigation Clinic

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1996

Ann Marie Hay, DC Law Students in Court

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1995

Jean Constantine-Davis and Nina F. Simon, AARP Foundation Litigation

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1994

Lynn Cunningham, Neighborhood Legal Services Program

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1993

Paula Scott, Neighborhood Legal Services Program 

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