Awards

Patrick Wiseman Award for Civil Rights


The Patrick Wiseman Award for Civil Rights was established by the Constitutional Law Section to recognize attorneys for their outstanding contributions to the civil rights and liberties of Texans.

Nominations are submitted by the Constitutional Law Section membership and final selection is made by the Council. Nominees must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas or an inactive member and have been licensed to practice law in Texas or another jurisdiction for at least ten years.

In selecting a recipient, the Council considers a nominee’s contribution to civil rights and civil liberties law; reputation for expertise in civil rights and civil liberties matters; reputation for professionalism and ethics within the legal community; authorship of scholarly works and presentations relating to civil rights and civil liberties; significant participation in the State Bar of Texas, the Constitutional Law Section, local bar associations, or other legal organizations; and other significant contributions or experience relating to civil rights and civil liberties law.


Past Recipients

2026 – David R. Richards, Austin

2025 – David J. Hacker, Austin

2024 – Matthew J. Kolodoski, Dallas

2023 – Allyson N. Ho, Dallas

2022 – Alex Bunin, Houston

2021 – Thomas S. Leatherbury, Dallas

2020 – Bill Holston, Dallas

2019 – Mark S. Whitburn, Arlington

2018 – Chad Baruch, Dallas

2017 – Meijken Westenskow, Dallas

2016 – Eliot D. Shavin, Dallas

2015 – Judge William Wayne Justice, Austin

2014 – Ralph Brock, Lubbock

2013 – Greg Gladden, Houston

2012 – No Award Presented

2011 – Shelia Cheaney, Austin

2010 – Sarah R. Weddington, Austin

2009 – David Dow, Houston

2008 – James Harrington, Austin

2007 – Judge Jerry Buchmeyer, Dallas