Previous Events

The 2003 Function

The 2003 Event was held on Tuesday, June 17th at the Great Hall of the Law Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The Keynote speaker was Tim Russert, Moderator of NBC's Meet The Press.

2003 Burton Awards Program held in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress. Tim Russert, of NBC News, was the guest speaker. He is shown addressing the audience of over 300 dignitaries including judges, members of the Justice Department, partners and guests.

Tony Abena, Vice President, West, a Thomson Company and a main sponsor of the event presents several of the achievement awards.

The Pan American Symphony Orchestra performs as guests enjoy the cocktail hour and then subsequently when dinner was served.

William C. Burton, Founder & Chairman of the national awards program welcomes the guests and speaks out on the goals of the event which include rewarding excellence and encouraging perfection in law.

Chair of the Academic Board, Virginia Wise, reviews the event program before addressing the audience.

Dennis Smith, former State Senator from Missouri, was the moderator of the program. Senator Smith is the former dean of the Missouri Senate.

Victor Schwartz, Senior Partner in Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP and former award winner, Tony Abena, Vice-President West, A Thomson Company, John Murphy, Chairman, Shook, Hardy & Bacon and Rubens Medina, Law Librarian of the Law Library of Congress.

Shown together with William C. Burton, Chairman are center, Virginia Wise, Chair, Academic Committee, Anne Kringel, Vice-Chair, Academic Committee
(left of Ms. Wise), Bill Ryan, Member, Academic Committee, to far left,
Grace Tonner, member, Academic Committee, and Judge Edward Forstenzer, member of Academic Committee (far right).

For having recipients in their firms for three years and therefore demonstrating the firm’s commitment to the highest standards of excellence in legal writing, Faegre & Benson is shown receiving the award. Phil Garon, Chairman of the law firm, accepts the award. Mr. Garon continues to be one of the event’s greatest supporters.

For having recipients in their firms for three years and therefore demonstrating the firm’s commitment to the highest standards of excellence in legal writing, Piper Rudnick received the award. Earl Silbert, former Watergate Prosecutor, and Counsel to the law firm is shown accepting the award.

For having recipients in their firms for three years and therefore demonstrating the firm’s commitment to the highest standards of excellence in legal writing, Winston & Strawn received the award. J. Michael McGarry, Managing Partner of Winston & Strawn’s Washington Office is shown accepting the award.

John Murphy, Chairman of Shook, Hardy & Bacon, a major catalyst of the success of the national awards program is shown presenting the award to Stanford University.

Catherine Glaze, Associate Dean of Students at Stanford Law accepts the Record of Achievement Award presented to Stanford for having four winners in the program.

William Burton, Founder and Chairman of the program is shown with Victor Schwartz, noted author and prior award winner. Mr. Schwartz also serves on the Board of Directors.

General Scott, Assistant Librarian of Congress, explains the Library’s major commitment to research and writing.

The 2003 Law Student Winners

The 2003 Law Firm Winners