Precedent magazine's new awards recognize excellence among younger lawyers

Precedent, the magazine for young up-and-coming lawyers, is about to report the winners in its first annual Precedent-Setter Awards. Editor and publisher Melissa Kluger explains in her most recent editor's note how and why she saw, and filled, a gap in the market:

The legal community bestows various honours on esteemed members of the profession. Many such awards are of the black tie persuasion — occasions where senior members of the bar are honoured with lifetime achievement–type awards for their many decades of service. Other awards recognize less senior lawyers, but only from a particular area of specialization. Something has been missing. Until now....

These awards recognize lawyers called to the bar in the past 10 years (1999–2009) who demonstrate excellence and leadership in their practices and in their communities. Our winners are remarkably diverse: they come from different backgrounds and hometowns. They practice various types of law and have their own unique ways of contributing to their communities. But they also have something in common: a passion for law and a commitment to giving back. Each of these winners is shaping and changing our profession. We are all better for it.

The award winners are to be announced on June 9 and the nominated and winners are revealed in a special feature section in the latest (Summer) issue of the magazine. 

[Disclosure: I am on the magazine's advisory board.]