Courage Award

Terri LeClercq has been and continues to be a daring and courageous legal writing specialist, teacher, and scholar. She has stood up for colleagues fighting battles against their schools' hierarchies, was arrested for peacefully protesting foreign military officer education at Ft. Benning's School of the Americas, and advocates for prisoners' civil rights. Her words and deeds embody the courage that this award seeks to foster.

Terri created the Courage Award to honor "courage writ large"concerning legal writing. Through the award, the Legal Writing Institute seeks to honor a member who has demonstrated courage by doing, despite fear, something that most people would not do. Such courage ight be demonstrated in any of the following ways: 

  • Personal Courage: The recipient might have done something extraordinary that reflects a commitment to the legal writing profession. A professor who overcame great adversity to teach legal writing or who overcame such adversity while continuing to teach legal writing would exemplify personal courage. 
  • Moral Courage: The recipient might have stood up to authority for a principled reason and despite personal or professional risk of ostracism or other negative consequences. An example of moral courage might include a professor who supported or stood up for a colleague or advocated to get a new type of controversial or out-of-the-box text published. 
  • Civil Courage: The recipient might have done something for the world at large despite personal adversity or other circumstances that required courage as defined above. For example, a recipient may have taught in a developing or emerging nation or worked on issues of political or social justice.

When submitting your nomination for an award recipient, please answer the following question: What is your definition of courage, and how do the nominee's actions fit? 

2024 Winners: Mary Bowman, Clinical Professor of Law, ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and Robert Brain, Clinical Professor of Law, Loyola Law School

Mary Bowman

Clinical Professor of Law, ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law

 

Robert Brain

Clinical Professor of Law, Loyola Law School

The Board of Directors of the Legal Writing Institute (LWI) announces with enthusiasm that Professors Mary Bowman and Bob Brain are the recipients of the 2024 Courage Award.

The Courage Award is aptly named by pioneering and courageous legal writing colleague Terri LeClercq, who founded the award to recognize "courage writ large" concerning legal writing. This award honors members of our community who have “demonstrated courage by doing, despite fear, something that most people would not do.”

Mary Bowman and Bob Brain have been instrumental in achieving what has been called "the greatest change in the legal writing field in 25 years." Together, they led the effort to persuade the American Bar Association (ABA) to eliminate Standard 405(d) and revise Standard 405(c). This significant change required extensive strategic planning and bold leadership, as well as building relationships with key players within the ABA. 

As co-chairs of the LWI Status Advice and Support Committee, Mary and Bob worked tirelessly to gain support and advocate for these changes. Their courage in becoming the faces of the joint LWI/ALWD proposal demonstrated their commitment to the legal writing community. Their efforts culminated in a recent One-Day Workshop Zoom session where 60 participants applauded their achievements, signaling widespread support from their peers. 

Bob Brain has a distinguished background in legal writing, with two distinct career phases. He first entered legal writing after several years of practice, then returned after 11 years in complex litigation. With a master's degree in chemistry from Stanford and a JD from Berkeley, Bob has authored dozens of articles and made at least 100 presentations. As a Teaching Assistant to Chief Justice Rehnquist, he gained valuable insights that shaped his career. Since his return to teaching in 2006, he has been at the forefront of legal writing politics and status issues, despite the inherent risks. 

Mary Bowman has been a key figure in this effort, showcasing the same level of commitment and courage. She actively participated in the strategic planning and worked closely with Bob to ensure the proposal's success. Her leadership and perseverance in advocating for changes in the ABA standards were crucial. Throughout their journey, Mary and Bob faced challenges and setbacks, yet they persisted, lobbying for status changes, and encouraging their peers to join the cause. 

Together, they form a powerful team whose combined efforts have led to a significant shift in the legal writing field. Their courage and determination to stand up for principles and advocate for the legal writing community make them deserving co recipients of the Courage Award. Their shared commitment and complementary skills have made a lasting impact, proving that meaningful change is possible with the right leadership...and courage. 

The LWI Board is grateful for the work of the LWI Awards Committee in identifying nominees and making recommendations to the Board. The Committee includes Chair Colin Black and members Cindy Archer, Janet Dickson, Caroleen Dineen, Lindsey Gustafson, Tamara Herrera, Liz Kukura, Karen Mika, Hilary Reed, and Nancy Soonpaa.

The recipients of the Courage Award will be acknowledged at the 2024 LWI Biennial Conference at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis in July. You can join us in congratulating Mary and Bob by emailing them directly at mary.n.bowman@asu.edu and Robert.brain@lls.edu.

 

Past recipients of the Courage Award

  • 2022: Nantiya Ruan, University of Denver Sturm College of Law
  • 2020: David R. Cleveland, Valparaiso University Law School
  • 2016: Laurel Oates, Seattle University
  • 2016: Mimi Samuel, Seattle University
  • 2009: Terry Phelps, American University Washington College of Law
  • 2007: Ralph Brill and Molly Lien