Blog

LACDL Announces 2026 Justice Albert Tate, Jr. Banquet Award Honorees

Posted by [email protected] on Nov. 3, 2026  /  Subscribe 0

Louisiana's criminal defense community will come together December 4 in New Orleans to celebrate excellence in advocacy, service, and the pursuit of justice.

The Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (LACDL) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 awards, who will be recognized during the annual Justice Albert Tate, Jr. Awards Banquet on Friday, December 4, at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in New Orleans.

The annual celebration honors individuals whose work reflects the principles at the heart of criminal defense: protecting constitutional rights, ensuring access to counsel, and advancing fairness within Louisiana's justice system.

Congratulations to our 2026 honorees!

• Justice Albert Tate, Jr. Award: Harry L. Daniels, III

• Sam Dalton-Gary Clements Capital Defense Advocacy Award: Talia MacMath

• Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel Award: David Rozas

• Trustees of Freedom Gideon Award: Meg Garvey

• Trustees of Freedom Lifetime Service Award: Richard Bourke and Christine Lehmann

• Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award: Madeleine M. Landrieu

• Lucy McGough Juvenile Justice Award: Elizabeth Coe

• LACDL President's Award: Christen DeNicholas

• LACDL Appreciation Award: Cecelia Kappell

LACDL 10:1 Blackstone's Order

LACDL will also recognize members of its 10:1 Blackstone's Order, an honor celebrating criminal defense attorneys whose courtroom victories safeguard the rights of the accused and uphold the principles of justice and liberty.

This year's honorees include: Frazilia Wiggins, Leigh Ann Rood Sakla, Miles Swanson, Addy Morales, Autumn Town, Betty Marak, Blythe Taplin, Bob Pastor, Brady Skinner, Brooke Alexander, Chad Guidry, Chris Washington, Christen DeNicholas, Cynthia Padilla Ortiz, Daniel Ginnetty, Davidson Ehle, Edward Bauman, Elizabeth Traub, Elizabeth Warner, Eric Hayes, Francesca Buzzi, Frank Breaux, Franz Borghardt, Hallye Braud, Harry Daniels, Jeanna Wheat, Joe Marino, K. David Curson, Kathryn Jakuback, Kevin Phillips, King Alexander, Lindsey Williams, Lisa Nelson, Luke Thibodeaux, Madison Ordway, Marquita Naquin, Matt Handy, Meghan Matt, Melissa Walker, Mike Fiser, Pete Kammer, Peter Dudley, Quinn Early, Rebecca Lasalle, Taneisha Riggs, Tanner Woods, Tommy Dewey, Victor Woods, Zach Smith.

Join Us in Celebrating!

The Justice Albert Tate, Jr. Awards Banquet will take place Friday, December 4, at 6:00 PM at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, in conjunction with LACDL's Last Chance Seminar.

Members, colleagues, family, and friends are invited to join us for an evening celebrating the individuals who make Louisiana's criminal defense community extraordinary.

REGISTER FOR THE AWARDS BANQUET

Return to list