Judicial Honors: Vol. 109 No. 2

Pictured: Judge Trish K. Morikawa, Chief Judge Peter T. Cahill, and Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald.

Chief Judge PETER T. CAHILL of the Second Circuit (Maui) and Judge TRISH K. MORIKAWA of the First Circuit (Oʻahu) were recently honored with 2025 Jurist of the Year Awards. Chief Judge Cahill was celebrated for exemplary management of complex cases and pivotal leadership of the Maui judiciary after the 2023 wildfires, while Judge Morikawa was recognized for establishing the permanent Women’s Court and leading multiple specialized calendars.

The 2025 American Lawyer Industry Awards honored three distinguished jurists with lifetime achievement awards. SHELLEY C. CHAPMAN was recognized for her decade on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York; she is now senior counsel at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. ALLYSON K. DUNCAN was celebrated for her service on the Fourth Circuit; she now works in dispute resolution with Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. DAVID S. TATEL was honored for nearly three decades on the D.C. Circuit; he is now senior counsel at Hogan Lovells.

Judge STEPHEN DILLARD of the Georgia Court of Appeals has been named the recipient of the 30th Annual William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence. Recognized for his steadfast leadership in appellate court administration, commitment to transparency, and dedication to public trust, Judge Dillard has also championed initiatives such as live-streamed oral arguments and the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition, leaving a lasting impact on the administration of justice in Georgia.

Sir Mark Cooper

Sir MARK COOPER was knighted in recognition of his extraordinary service to the judiciary. Over a distinguished career in New Zealand, he served on the High Court beginning in 2004, chaired the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission of Inquiry, and was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2014, becoming president in 2022. He is celebrated for his visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to justice, pioneering transparency initiatives, and lasting impact on the nation’s legal system.

Judge TIMOTHY K. LEWIS was honored with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from The Legal Intelligencer in its Pennsylvania Legal Awards, recognizing his profound impact on the legal community. A former judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, he now serves as senior counsel at Blank Rome LLP, where he practices mediation, arbitration, and appellate litigation.

Justice BETH WALKER was honored with the inaugural Service to Young Lawyers Award for her lifelong dedication to mentoring and supporting emerging attorneys. During her tenure on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, she earned a reputation for judicial excellence and for cultivating the next generation of legal leaders, leaving a lasting impact on West Virginia’s legal community and beyond.

Judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay

Judge NAVANETHEM “NAVI” PILLAY, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and eminent international jurist, was awarded the 2025 Sydney Peace Prize for advancing accountability and justice in the face of crimes against humanity. A former judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, she has championed international justice, human rights, and the protection of human dignity across decades and continents.

Pictured: Judge Sachs and Kansas City Councilwoman Andrea Bough (center) with his sons.

Justice PEGGY A. QUINCE of Florida’s Supreme Court (retired) received the 2025 Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award from the Florida Bar’s Criminal Law Section during the Annual Florida Bar Convention. The award recognizes her contributions to Florida’s criminal justice system and her enduring commitment to criminal law practice. Justice Quince made history as the first Black woman to serve on the Florida Supreme Court in 1998, following her appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal in 1993.

Senior Judge HOWARD F. SACHS of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri retired in September 2025 at the age of 100 after more than 45 years on the bench. Known for his towering intellect and unassuming character, Judge Sachs was described by the Federal Judges Association as “the court’s intellectual” who “logged the most time in the courtroom,” yet always maintained an “impeccable reputation for fairness.” A civil rights pioneer, he helped desegregate public accommodations in Kansas City and played a leading role in integrating the Kansas City Bar Association.

MICHELLE KAMINSKY is senior editor and writer at the Bolch Judicial Institute and managing editor of Judicature.