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It Is AILA's Distinct Pleasure to Present...

Annual Awards

Each year, it is AILA’s distinct pleasure to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations who have achieved excellence in immigration law.

Our Annual Awards are bestowed in up to 12 categories: Advancing the Practice of Immigration Law; Advocacy; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Human Rights; Litigation; Media Leadership; Mentorship; Pro Bono; AILA Service Excellence; Teaching; Technology and Innovation; and Young Lawyers.

Additionally, the Robert Juceam Founders Award is given from time to time to the person or entity having the most substantial impact on the field of immigration law or policy in the preceding period.

Awards are presented at the AILA Annual Conference each year.

Recipients of the 2026 awards will be recognized during the AILA Annual Conference held June 17-20 in San Diego, California.

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Chapter Awards

Annual Conference

Meet Our 2026 Award Recipients

Angelo Paparelli

Recipient of the 2026 Advocacy Award for outstanding efforts in support of AILA’s advocacy agenda.

Asylum Law Clinic at Southwestern Law School

In recognition of outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights.

Rebecca Scholtz

Recipient of the 2026 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law.

Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg and Alexander Smith

Recipients of the 2026 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in litigation in the field of immigration law.

Catherine Walker

Recipient of the 2026 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award for outstanding contributions made as a young lawyer in the field of immigration and nationality law.

Ko Lyn Cheang and St John Barned-Smith of the San Francisco Chronical

Recipients of the 2025 Media Leadership Award, given to individuals who efforst in the media most accurately depict immigration and immigrants.

Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN)

Recipient of the 2026 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award in recognition of outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation.

Andrew Rankin

Recipient of the 2026 Sam Williamson Mentor Award for outstanding effort and excellence counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance.

Jeremy McKinney

Recipient of the 2026 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer services by an AILA member, over a period of several years, in advancing the mission, development, and value of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for its members and the public it serves.

James Chesser

Recipient of the 2026 Technology and Innovation Award in recognition of a pioneer in developing and/or adopting new technologies, developing new processes, and creating innovative solutions to meet the changing needs of clients and the legal profession.

Yasmin Blackburn and Allen Orr

Recipients of the 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Recognition Award for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion excellence in the immigration legal profession.

Immigrant Justice Corps

Recipient of the 2026 Robert E. Juceam Founders Award for the entity who has had the most substantial impact on the field of immigration law or policy in the preceding period.