The Executive Committee created an annual award to recognize distinguished service rendered by the recipient who has contributed in a substantial way to the objectives of the Conference. Known as the “J.O. Sentell Award,” it was first presented at the 1979 annual meeting held in Monterey, California. The award is given out every year.
Past recipients of the J.O. Sentell Award
2023
Edward Hosken • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
2022
Blake Hawthorn • Supreme Court of Texas
2021
Dan Shearouse • Supreme Court of South Carolina
2020
Susan Clary • Supreme Court of Kentucky
2019
Sherry Williamson • Eleventh Court of Appeals, Texas
2018
Deena Fawcett • California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District
2017
Rory L. Perry II • Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
2016
William DeCicco • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
2015
Marilyn May • Alaska Appellate Courts
2014
Steve Lancaster • Indiana Court of Appeals
2013
Bill Suter • Supreme Court of the United States
2012
Thomas D. Hall • Supreme Court of Florida
2011
Ed Smith • Montana Supreme Court
2010
Christie Cameron • North Carolina Supreme Court
2009
Diana Pratt-Wyatt • Louisiana Court of Appeal, Second Circuit
2008
Leslie D. Gradet • Maryland Court of Special Needs
2007
Sherie M. Welch • Georgia Supreme Court
2006
Joseph A. Lane • California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate Division
2005
Kenneth J. deBlanc • Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit
2004
Penny L. Miller • North Dakota Supreme Court
2003
David G. Beach • Virginia Supreme Court
2002
Marilyn L. Graves • Wisconsin Supreme Court & Court of Appeals
2001
R. Keith Richardson • Iowa Supreme Court & Court of Appeals
2000
John H. Wilkerson, Jr. • Alabama Court of Civil Appeals
1999
Joyce A. Goldsmith • Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two
1998
Ella M. Williams • Michigan Court of Appeals
1997
William S. Fulton, Jr. • United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals
1996
Glen D. Clark Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One
1995
Kevin A. Swanson • California Court of Appeal Fifth District
1994
Peggy Stevens McGraw • Missouri Court of Appeals
1993
Stephen W. Townsend • New Jersey Supreme Court
1992
Reba Mims • South Carolina Court of Appeals
1991
Gloria J. Engel • South Dakota Supreme Court
1990
Frans J. Labranche • Louisiana Supreme Court
1989
Joline B. Williams • Georgia Supreme Court
1988
John C. Scott • Kentucky Court of Appeals
1987
Jean M. Kennett • Massachusetts Supreme Court
1985
Luella Dunn • North Dakota Supreme Court & Court of Appeals
1984
Alexander L. Stevas • Supreme Court of the United States
1984
Marry Ann Hopkins-Young • Arizona Supreme Court
1983
Lewis C. Carter • Kansas Supreme Court & Court of Appeals
1982
Morgan Thomas • Georgia Court of Appeals
1981
Wilfred J. Kramer • California Court of Appeal, Third District
1980
Ronald L. Dzierbicki • Michigan Court of Appeals
1979
J.O. Sentell • Alabama Supreme Court