Established in 1994, the Birmingham Bar Association L. Burton Barnes III Public Service Award recognizes a member of the Birmingham Bar Association who has given freely of his/her time and energy in public service for the benefit and betterment of the general public. Any member of the Alabama State Bar may nominate a member of the Birmingham Bar Association for the award.

Past recipients of this annual award are Frank Dominick, Tim Smith, Duncan Blair, Nina Miglionico, Tom Carruthers, Frank M. Young III, John L. Cole, Carol H. Stewart, Georgia Haggerty, Martha Jane Patton, Judge Orson L. (Pete) Johnson, Kirby Sevier, James Rotch, Cathy Wright, Richard Carmody, John T. (Jack) Carney, Jr. William N. (Bill) Clark, Drayton Nabers Jr., Frances King Quick, John C. Hall III, Lisa W. Borden, Elena Lovoy, G. Daniel (Danny) Evans, Robert W. (Squire) Gwin Jr., Abigail P. van Alstyne, The Honorable J. Scott Vowell, Jerome K. Lanning, J. Mason Davis Jr., Leila H. Watson, James F. "Jimmy" Walsh, and the Honorable Patricia Stephens.

The Public Service Award honors the memory of L. Burton Barnes III, a distinguished member of the Birmingham Bar Association until his passing on April 30, 1994. Burton was a true champion of public service, serving his community freely and quietly. Burton’s commitment to public service establishes a lofty standard of public service and serves as an inspiration for other members of the Birmingham Bar Association.
 

 The criteria for the award are:
1. Member of the Birmingham Bar Association
2. Exemplary service to the public through participation in charitable, service and community organizations and causes
3. Demonstrated dedication and sacrifice of time and effort for the betterment of others, not motivated by personal or professional gain
4. Demonstrated service to the community without efforts to obtain personal publicity or individual recognition
5. Strong reputation in the community for upholding the highest standards of honesty and integrity

The nomination form is available here.

Please contact Jim H. Wilson (jwilson@birminghambar.org) if you have questions.