Legal Writing Institute Awards

J. Christopher Rideout Presidential Service Award

Recognizing Exceptional Service to LWI

The J. Christopher Rideout Presidential Service Award recognizes Legal Writing Institute members who have gone above and beyond in their service to LWI.

The award was introduced in 2018 by Kristen Tiscione at the beginning of her LWI presidency. Originally known as the President’s Distinguished Service Award, it was renamed in 2026 to honor J. Christopher “Chris” Rideout.

Chris co-founded the Legal Writing Institute with Laurel Oates and later served as LWI’s first President. Renaming the award in his honor recognizes his foundational role in LWI and his lasting example of leadership, service, and commitment to the legal writing community.

Award recipients are selected by the LWI President in consultation with the President-elect during each biennium and are announced at the LWI Biennial Conference.

Image of 2026 Award Winners

2026 Award Recipients 

2026 Award Recipients

Honoring Outstanding Service

Jacob Carpenter

Marquette University Law School

Kim Holst

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University

The Legal Writing Institute congratulates Jacob Carpenter and Kim Holst and thanks them for their exceptional service to LWI and the legal writing community.

Previous Award Recipients

LWI is grateful to each recipient for their extraordinary service, leadership, and contributions to the organization.

2024
Heidi Brown New York Law School
Kristen Murray Temple University Beasley School of Law
Carolyn Williams University of North Dakota School of Law
2022
Georgetown Law Legal Writing Faculty Georgetown University Law Center
2020
Neil Sobol Texas A&M University School of Law
Dan Real Creighton University School of Law
Brenda Gibson Wake Forest University School of Law
Greg Johnson Vermont Law School
2018
Jodi Wilson University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law