2022 Conference (San Diego)
James Pfeiffer Award | Maggie Grover (former CCBA Chair) |
Friend of the Conference | Hon. Ed Chau, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge (former Assemblymember) |
2020 Conference (Virtual)
John Van de Kamp Award | Ming Chin, California Supreme Court Justice |
2019 Conference (Monterey)
John Van de Kamp Award | Gavin Newsom, Governor |
James Pfeiffer Award | Jeff Bleich, former State Bar President |
Friend of the Conference | Ann Ravel |
2018 Conference (San Diego)
John Van de Kamp Award | Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court |
James Pfeiffer Award | Toni Atkins, Senate President Pro Tempore |
Friend of the Conference | Lilys McCoy (former CCBA Chair) |
2017 Conference (Sacramento)
John Van de Kamp Award | Xavier Becerra, Attorney General |
James Pfeiffer Award | Gerry and Marc Sallus & Lawrence and Andi Liebenbaum |
Friend of the Conference | Michele Bissada (SMCBA) |
Legislator of the Year | Mark Stone, Assemblymember |
2016 Conference (San Diego)
James Pfeiffer Award | Diane E. Wasznicky (former CCBA Chair) & Mary V.J. Cataldo (SDCBA) |
Legislator of the Year | Brian Maienschein, Assemblymember |
2015 Conference (Anaheim)
James Pfeiffer Award | Andrea Carlisle (QB) |
Outstanding Service Award | Larry Doyle |
2014 Conference (San Diego) [Ceremony in Los Angeles]
James Pfeiffer Award | Jo-Ann W. Grace (LACBA) |
Friend of the Conference | Mike Feuer, City Attorney of Los Angeles |
2013 Conference (Monterey)
James Pfeiffer Award | Matthew St. George (LACBA) |
Friend of the Conference | Don Wagner, Assemblymember |
2012 Conference (San Diego)
James Pfeiffer Award | Steve Marsh (SDCBA) |
Legislator of the Year | Alyson Huber, Assemblymember |
2011 Conference (Anaheim)
James Pfeiffer Award | George Wailes (SMCBA) |
Friend of the Conference | Mike Feuer, City Attorney of Los Angeles |
2010 Conference (Monterey)
Legislator of the Year | Brian Maienschein, Assemblymember |
2010 Legislative Day (Sacramento)
James Pfeiffer Award | Jay-Allen Eisen (SCBA) |
2009 Award Dinner (Los Angeles)
James Pfeiffer Award | Danette Meyers (LACBA) |
Outstanding Service Award | Larry Doyle |
2008 Award Dinner (San Francisco)
James Pfeiffer Award | Joanne Garvey (BASF) |
Friend of the Conference | Mike Feuer, City Attorney of Los Angeles |
2007 Award Dinner (Los Angeles)
James Pfeiffer Award | John Van de Kamp (LACBA) |
Legislator of the Year | Brian Maienschein, Assemblymember |
2006 Award Dinner (San Francisco)
James Pfeiffer Award | James Brosnahan (BASF) |
Legislator of the Year | Brian Maienschein, Assemblymember |
James Pfeiffer Award
This award honors Jim Pfeiffer, a man of vision and community service whose personal and professional life was dedicated to giving back and making a difference. Jim committed his entire nonprofit fundraising career to supporting and creating programs that invested in youth, equal access, and social justice. He worked tirelessly to develop a philanthropic mission and to implement giving programs for law students, legal services and the improvement of justice for all Californians, until his early retirement due to Parkinson’s disease.
As the founding Executive Director of the Foundation of the California Bar, Jim successfully “herded” a board of opinionated lawyers with whom he worked tirelessly to develop a philanthropic mission to implement giving programs for law students, legal services, and the improvement of justice for all Californians, until his early retirement due to Parkinson’s disease.
With his tireless energy, Jim did double duty as the part-time Director of the California Historical Society from 1997 through 2000. He loved history and was a Civil War history buff. Jim was also a longtime supporter of the Conference of Delegates. He was recognized for volunteering his fundraising expertise to CCBA.
After his retirement, Jim continued to give generously of his time and resources to this community. Despite his Parkinson’s, Jim enjoyed life with grace and humor with his wonderful wife, Bonnie Hough, his son Michael Pfeiffer, Max, his three-legged dog, and many friends. Shortly after Jim’s death, CCBA established the Pfeiffer award to remember and honor Jim’s life of service and giving. Each year, the Pfeiffer Award is given to one of our own, who, like Jim, is a person of the highest integrity and professional excellence, with a passion for giving and service for a more just society through the law.
Friend of the Conference Award
This award is granted to a person who embodies the spirit of our organization in furthering Justice Through Laws to the People of California and through support of our organization.
John Van de Kamp “Justice Through Laws” Award
John Van de Kamp was a towering political figure who, as former Governor Jerry Brown said, “understood the higher calling of public service.” John served as acting United States Attorney, then chief assistant U.S. Attorney, until he was named deputy director of the Office of U.S. Attorneys in the Justice Department. In 1971, he became the first federal public defender in Los Angeles. He was later appointed district attorney in Los Angeles, and was subsequently elected twice to the position. He later served two terms as California’s Attorney General.
Always a man of principle, as Washington eased enforcement of civil rights, Van de Kamp’s deputies challenged boys’ clubs that refused to admit girls and male-only business clubs that blackballed women. He created special units to handle child abuse, sexual assault, and police shootings.
The John Van de Kamp “Justice Through Laws” Award recognizes those public officials and private citizens who follow John’s example of fighting for the rights of Californians.