James J. Brosnahan, one of the nation's most respected and recognized trial lawyers, with the international law firm of Morrison & Foerster, has been selected to receive the prestigious American Inns of Court's 2007 Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Award for Professionalism and Ethics. The award will be presented at the American Inns of Court's Celebration of Excellence, hosted by Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., at the United States Supreme Court, on October 20, 2007.
The Powell Award for Professionalism and Ethics is presented annually to recognize a lifetime devoted to the highest standards of ethical practice, competence and professionalism. This award is conferred upon a senior lawyer nominated from among the country's most respected practitioners, judges, government officials, journalists, philanthropists or other community leaders and selected by a panel of representatives from both the judiciary and the American Inns of Court Foundation. Previous winners include former Justices Powell, William J. Brennan, Jr. and Anthony M. Kennedy.
Mr. Brosnahan has tried more than 150 cases in his career and has represented clients in a number of high-profile matters. Among the honors he has already received, he was inducted into The State Bar of California's "Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame" in April 1996; was awarded the "Samuel E. Gates Award" by the American College of Trial Lawyers in October 2000; was named the "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the American Board of Trial Advocates in October 2001; was named "Legend of the Law" by the Lawyer's Club of San Francisco, November 2002; and was awarded the William J. Brennan Jr. Award from the University of Virginia Trial Advocacy Program, January 2003.
Mr. Brosnahan is among The National Law Journal's 2006 "Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America." He is also included in multiple listings of the nation's leading lawyers including The Best Lawyers in America (2007) as a leader in the fields of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury, and White Collar Defense law.
A prolific writer, in addition to the Trial Handbook for California Lawyers, he has published innumerable articles in newspapers and law journals around the country.
Mr. Brosnahan received a B.S.B.A. from Boston College and an LL.B. from Harvard Law School. He served as an assistant United States attorney from 1961-1966.
The American Inns of Court Foundation, America's oldest, largest and fastest growing mentoring organization presents national awards for excellence each October at the Celebration of Excellence held in the United States Supreme Court. Information about this event and gala banquet may be found at www.innsofcourt.org.