Past Events
2023 Event
The Twenty-Fourth Anniversary Celebration The 24th anniversary awards program was held on Monday, June 12th, 2023, at the stunning National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. The program began with a moving tribute to the life and career of retired Justice Stephen Breyer. First, Chief Legal Officer for Meta, Jennifer Newstead, […]
2022 Event
The Twenty-Third Anniversary Celebration The Twenty Third Anniversary Program of the Burton Awards was held on June 13th, 2022, at the venerable Library of Congress. Opening the program, we were honored to have U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speak on the legacy of the Honorable Robert A. Katzmann, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court […]
2019 Event
The special Twentieth Anniversary Program of the Burton Awards was held on May 20, 2019 at the palatial Library of Congress.
2018 Event
On May 21, 2018, the annual Burton Awards event was held at the Library of Congress. The program featured a special interview with Dr. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations.
2017 Event
Held at the Library of Congress on Monday, May 22, 2017. U.S. Supreme Court Justice joined with her two co-authors to speak about her biography “My Own Words.”
2016 Event
Keeping Tradition
At the Library of Congress, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg memorialized the life of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer spoke out on international law.
2015 Event
“Point/Counterpoint” Renamed “Rapid Fire”
Maurice Watson, Chairman of Husch Blackwell, spoke as the Dinner Chair. Robert Newlen, Cheif of Staff, Library of Congress and Lilliam Gaskin and Memner of the ABA Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress also gave remarks.
2014 Event
15th Anniversary Celebration
Keeping with tradition, Bill Press served as the moderator of the Fifteenth Anniversary program. At the Legends in Law Luncheon, Oklahoma Attorney General, E. Scott Pruitt, and then chair of the Republican Attorney General Association, was the guest speaker.
2013 Event
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Receives Award
The event was held at the Library of Congress. Guest Speaker, Judge Robert A. Katzmann, introduced U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor who was presented the “Book of the Year in Law” Award.
2012 Event
First Debate Held During Program
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor introduced U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens (retired), who received the “Book of the Year in Law” Award. James M. Rishwain Jr., Esq., was the dinner chair, and North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper was a guest speaker.
2011 Event
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Speaks
The 2011 event was held at the Library of Congress. Joseph Leccese, Chairman of Proskauer Rose LLP, was the dinner chair. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer received the “Book of the Year in Law” Award.
2010 Event
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Attends
The 2010 event was held at the Library of Congress. H. Rodgin Cohen, Senior Chairman of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, was the dinner chair. Congressman Ted Poe was a guest speaker.
2009 Event
First Book of the Year in Law Award
The 2009 event was held at the Library of Congress. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia received the “Book of the Year in Law” Award. Allen Fagin, Chairman of Proskauer Rose LLP, was the dinner chair.
2008 Event
First U.S. Supreme Court Justice Attends
The 2008 event was held at the Library of Congress. Bill Press starts his tradition as the master of ceremonies and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer spoke.
2007 Event
First Program in Coolidge Auditorium
The 2007 event was held at the Library of Congress. Bob Schieffer was the guest speaker. Michael Walsh, President and CEO of the U.S. Legal Markets at Lexis Nexis, was the dinner chair.
2006 Event
First Reform in Law Award
On June 12, 2006, the event was held at the Library of Congress. George Will was the guest speaker. Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Alex Kozinski, was given an award for “Distinguished Judicial Writing.”
2005 Event
First Judicial Writing Award
On June 6, 2005, the event was held at the Library of Congress with Chris Matthews as the guest speaker of the program. The “Distinguished Judicial Writing” Award was given to Judge Richard Posner.
2004 Event
Library of Congress
On June 14, 2004, the program named Kent Syverud, now dean of Washington University Law School, as the winner of the “Outstanding Contributions to Legal Writing Education” Award.
2003 Event
Library of Congress
On June 17, 2003, the event was held in the Jefferson building at the Great Hall in Washington, D.C. Tim Russert was the guest speaker. A new association was forged with the Library of Congress.
2002 Event
New York On June 18, 2002, the event was held at the New York Palace. Tom Brokaw was an eloquent and powerful guest speaker. A special posthumous award was presented to honor Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. Elizabeth Pugh, General Counsel for The Library of Congress accepted the award in memory of Justice Holmes.
2001 Event
New York On June 20, 2001, the function was held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Master of Ceremonies was Roger Cossack, cohost of CNN’s Burden of Proof. The program attracted a large array of law firms as it was held in New York City. The attendance grew by over 100%.
2000 Event
Our Beginning On July 12, 2000, more than 200 guests attended the inaugural program at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The master of ceremonies was Paul Duke. At that time, Mr. Duke was the moderator emeritus of the television show, Washington Week in Review. At the inaugural program, representatives of Vice President Gore’s […]