Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism
The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, the first body of its kind in the nation, was created in 1989 by the Supreme Court of Georgia with the primary charge to enhance professionalism among Georgia’s lawyers. In carrying out its charge, the Commission provides ongoing attention and assistance to the task of assuring that the practice of law remains a high calling, enlisted in the service of the client and the public good.
NOMINATIONS
25th Annual
Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service
The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism invites nominations for the 24th Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service from Monday, September 16, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The Commission, in partnership with the Georgia Legal History Foundation (GLHF), will host the 24th Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service (CSA24) Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nathan Deal Judicial Center. Since 1998, the community service awards have been presented to honor lawyers and judges in Georgia who have made significant contributions to their communities and who demonstrate the positive contributions of members of the Bar beyond their legal or judicial work. Please save the date.
For more information or to nominate a judge or lawyer for the 25th Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service, click here.
For information about the 24th Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service, click here.
Grants To Promote Legal Professionalism
The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism will begin accepting Grant Applications beginning on June 7, 2024, until July 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. for programs or projects that promote legal professionalism as set forth in the Commission’s Grant Criteria to eligible Grant Applicants. Want to learn more? Click here.
Suicide Awareness Program
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
The Justice’s Commission on Professionalism convened a Suicide Awareness Program on April 30, 2021.
About the Suicide Awareness Program
During the Suicide Awareness Program we made the case that death by suicide is preventable and that it is okay to ask our colleagues if they need help and to ask for help ourselves. Continue this important conversation and share the resources from the program.
If you want to plan a similar CLE with a voluntary, local, or specialty bar association in your jurisdiction, you are welcome to do so. Please simply let us know and acknowledge the Commission and the original program participants for their work during your CLE.
Please check with the authors of the written materials for their permission to use the materials in future programming.
If you are thinking of hurting yourself, or if you are concerned that someone you know may be suicidal, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by phone 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or via chat at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.
Members of the State Bar of Georgia may also contact the Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program confidential hotline at 800-327-9631. #UseYour6
Resources for Professionalism Programs
The Commission serves as a resource for information and materials regarding professionalism initiatives past and present. The Commission is also available to assist any sponsor, group, or person planning a CLE session on professionalism to tailor their professionalism sessions to the issues relevant to the group to whom the sessions are presented.
The Commission has compiled resources to help CLE Sponsors plan professionalism programs in one place. For more information, click here.
If you still have questions, call the Commission at (404) 225-5040. We are happy to assist you and to answer your questions.
Georgia Bar Journal Professionalism Page
View the Commission's Professionalism Page articles here.
Commission Videos
View Commission Video List.
CLE Presentations and Papers
View CLE Presentations and Papers.
Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service
The Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service are sponsored by the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism.
Law School Orientations
You can find the most up-to-date information about the Law School Orientation Professionalism Programs here.
2019 Convocation: Professionalism Then (1988) and Now (2019)
The Commission's state-wide convocations on professionalism give greater impetus and sharper focus to professionalism issues.
CLE/CJE Programs
Learn more about upcoming CLE/CJE programs that explore the meaning and aspirations of professionalism in contemporary legal practice and reflect upon the fundamental premises of lawyer professionalism.