About ACLEA's Best Awards

The submission deadline has passed.

ACLEA currently offers two categories of "best" awards that recognize the contributions of its professional member organizations:

• The Award of Professional Excellence is given to the winner in the categories of Marketing, Programs (known as the Frank V. Harris Award for Professional Excellence), Publications, Public Interest (known as the Steven Leleiko Memorial Award for Professional Excellence), and Technology (known the John Day Memorial Award for Professional Excellence).
• The Award of Outstanding Achievement is given to second-place winners in the categories of Programs, Publications, Public Interest, Technology, and Marketing.

Click on the Award Category for full information and award criteria.

ACLEA’s Best Awards: Best Program (Course) Category

Award Criteria

The following criteria will be used to determine the recipients of the Frank V. Harris Award of Professional Excellence” and the “Award of Outstanding Achievement:” Please address how the project meets each of the criteria.

1. Is useful as a template for other ACLEA members to follow in other states and provinces.
2. Shows creativity and innovation in its format and execution.
3. Is marketed skillfully and persuasively.
4. Enjoyed success in attendance and at the bottom line.
5. Uses innovative cost-savings techniques.
6. Is effective for adult education.
7. Shows effective use of the organization's available resources, including staff time and talent, financial resources, and resources unique to your organization and region.
8. Is at the cutting edge of the CLE industry.

ACLEA’s Best Awards: Marketing Category

Award Criteria

The following criteria will be used to determine the recipients of the “Award of Professional Excellence” and the “Award of Outstanding Achievement.” All materials must be submitted in electronic format only. Please address how the project meets each of the criteria. 

1. The marketing vehicle or campaign targets a specific audience.
2. The offer is developed in a clear and concise manner.
3. Printed material makes effective use of copy and graphics.
4. The results and effectiveness are capable of being tracked.
5. The vehicle or campaign demonstrates effective use of the organization’s available resources.

ACLEA’s Best Awards: Publication Category

Eligible Products

Eligible products include books (in print, digital, and/or online format), online research resources, action guides, etc., A new edition of a book is eligible if it was substantially reworked or redesigned in the current or previous year, but a book is not eligible if it was simply updated or supplemented. Seminar manuals are NOT eligible. All materials must be submitted in electronic format only.  

Award Criteria

The following criteria will be used to determine the recipients of the “Awards of Professional Excellence” and “Award of Outstanding Achievement.” Please address how the project meets each of the criteria.

1. Content: The editorial process ensures that: (a) the publication is practical and well organized; (b) the content is accurate and of high quality; (c) statements of law are supported by appropriate authority; (d) the publication has an effective title.
2. Style: The writing style is clear, easy to read, and avoids legalese. The publication embodies an easy-to-read design using quality materials and typography (i.e., the “look and feel”).
3. Format: The information is easily accessible with quality reference aids (e.g., indexes, tables, checklists, practice pointers, advanced search capabilities, electronic bookmarks, highlighting, note-taking capabilities, etc.) and other useful components (forms, electronic resources, etc.).
4. Innovation: It demonstrates an original idea, or provides innovative content or an innovative format.
5. Financial: It is cost effective to produce (include some cost and revenue information, if possible).
6. Resource Use: The entry demonstrates effective use of the organization’s available resources, bearing in mind both the staffing and financial resources available to the organization.

ACLEA’s Best Awards: Public Interest Category

Eligible Projects/Nature of Award

Awards will be given to organizations for outstanding commitment to the public interest as evidenced through one or more of the following activities: programs, publications, scholarships, or other related activities that support the public interest and/or provision of legal services to historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.

Award Criteria:

The following criteria will be used to determine the recipients of the “Award of Professional Excellence” and the “Award of Outstanding Achievement:” Please address how the project meets each of the criteria:

1. Need for activity within the geographic area served.
2. Number of lawyers participating.
3. Impact on the ability of lawyers to provide representation.
4. Use of innovative methodologies.
5. Is the activity a joint effort with one or more legal services, public interest, or pro bono organizations?
6. Ongoing nature of activity, if appropriate.
7. Impact on the public
8. The entry demonstrates effective use of the organization’s available resources, bearing in mind both the staffing and financial resources available to the organization.
9. Overall achievement as evidenced by a broad-based range of public interest activities.

ACLEA’s Best Awards: Technology Category

Eligible Products

Eligible products include any electronic media or technology applied to the delivery of CLE, or to the development of resource materials. This includes, but is not limited to, websites, mobile and smart technology tools, interactive online education, artificial intelligence, information services and management systems, and electronic publishing products.

Award Criteria

The following criteria will be used to determine the recipients of the “John Day Award of Professional Excellence” and the “Award of Outstanding Achievement:” Please address how the project meets each of the criteria .

1.     Demonstrates an innovative use of technology
2.     Is useful as an example for other ACLEA members to follow
3.     Is well designed and well executed, and is well received by the target audience or market
4.     Provides significant benefit to the CLE organization or its customers
5.     Demonstrates an effective use of the organization’s resources

Questions?

Contact ACLEA’s Best Awards Program Chairs     
Amber Schumacher aschumacher@cobar.org
Alexandra Wong awong@lso.ca