Foundation-Sponsored Programs
The Foundation funds the following FBA awards, recognition, and programs through generous donations given specifically for these purposes.
Elaine R. “Boots” Fisher Award – This award is intended to stimulate, encourage, and recognize exemplary community, public and charitable service by members of the FBA. The Foundation makes an annual charitable contribution of $1,000 to an organization for which an FBA member has performed outstanding public service.
Ilene and Michael Shaw Public Service Award – This award is designed to assist and encourage FBA chapters in providing service to their communities. The Foundation provides $10,000 in needed funds to continue worthwhile efforts and/or provides seed money to plan and implement public service programs.
Ilene and Michael Shaw Younger Lawyer Public Service Grant – This $10,000 grant enables FBA chapters to provide service to the public through the development and implementation of public service projects and pro-bono law-related services. In order to encourage an increased and continued commitment to public service responsibility by young lawyers, these projects must be administered under the auspices of a chapter Younger Lawyers Committee.
Peter J. Mazza Award – This award is presented as a memorial to the outstanding, inspirational, and selfless leadership Pete Mazza demonstrated throughout his life, both professionally and in his community service. The award is intended to recognize exemplary federal lawyers who have dedicated a significant portion of their career to federal service with high standards of professional achievement and outstanding performance. A charitable contribution made in the name of the recipient reflects the essence of the person in whose honor this award is established.
The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association gratefully acknowledges Ilene Shaw for her continued support of community and public service opportunities.
Each year, the Federal Bar Association invites high school students to address current topics in civics. Scholarships—funded by the Foundation—are awarded for first, second, and third place in grades 9-12.
High school students enrolled in public, private, parochial and charter schools and home-schooled students of equivalent grade status in the United States and its Territories are eligible to enter the contest. High school students are those in grades 9-12.
The Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition is held in-person each spring in Washington D.C. Several aspects of the competition make it one of the premier moot court competitions in the country. All of the individuals who serve as judges in the competition are actual judges, practitioners, or scholars. This reinforces the “real world” experience for competitors. Competitors have an opportunity at the awards reception that immediately follows the final round of the competition to network with federal judges and practitioners, who travel from around the country to attend the Federal Bar Association’s Leadership Summit.
The Foundation is a long-time, proud sponsor of the competition.
