The Award will be presented at the MDLA Annual Meeting at Trial Technique Seminar.

Nominate Today

2024 Recipient: Madison Fernandez, Larson King

Previous Award Winners

2023:Hannah Felix, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust

2022: Elle Lannon (Quinlivan & Hughes)

2021: Nick Rauch (Larson King)

2020: Kevin McCarthy (Larson King)

2019: Kelly Magnus (Tomsche Sonnesyn & Tomsche)
2018: Lance Meyer (O'Meara, Leer, Wagner & Kohl, PA)
2017: Colleen McGarry (Fox Rothschild LLP)
2016: Bryan Browning (Bassford Remele PA)
2015: Lauren Nuffort (Terhaar, Archibald, Pfefferle & Griebel, LLP)
2014: Andrea Hoversten (Geraghty O'Loughlin & Kenney PA)
2013: Cally Kjellberg-Nelson (Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A.)
2012: Jessie Sogge (Rajkowski Hansmeier)
2011: Michael Will (Meagher & Geer)
2010: Margaret Jennings Meier (Larson King)
2009: Amy Amundson (Lind Jensen Sullivan & Peterson)

We invite MDLA members to submit nominations for candidates who meet the below enumerated criteria. We encourage you to attach a letter of recommendation describing the qualification of your candidate plus any other information you believe supports the candidate's selection for the award. The following criteria will be emphasized in selection of this year's recipient:

• MDLA member
• Practicing in the defense of civil actions
• Graduated from law school after 1/1/2013
• Involvement in MDLA - Does the candidate exemplify the energy and passion for MDLA that Deb Oberlander exhibited through her service to MDLA?
• Education
• Employment/Clerkship
• Involvement in other defense organizations such as DRI
• Honors and awards
• Leadership/mentoring activities
• Publications/presentation
• General demeanor and character - Does the Candidate practice law with a high standard of professionalism?
• Pro bono/community service
• Experience/performance - What type of litigation experience does the candidate have?
• Licenses/certifications