Call for Nominations: Southeastern Legal Awards 2026
The Southeastern Legal Awards (SLA), presented by The Daily Report and Law.com, are now accepting nominations for their 2026 edition. This prestigious program celebrates excellence in the legal profession across the Southeast, honoring attorneys, firms, and initiatives that drive impact in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Building on the success of prior years—where 2025 finalists included standout pro bono programs and diverse litigation teams—the 2026 awards aim to spotlight innovative leaders shaping the region’s legal landscape.
Nominations opened today, November 12, 2025, and are open to firms, companies, and organizations of all sizes in the eligible states. Self-nominations are encouraged, and submissions should highlight achievements from 2025, emphasizing skills, strategies, results, and contributions to justice or the community. All entries are judged by a panel of esteemed Southeastern lawyers, with finalists announced in early 2026 and winners celebrated at a gala in Atlanta (date TBD, likely spring).
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date/Details |
|---|---|
| Nominations Open | November 12, 2025 |
| Deadline | January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET) |
| Finalists Announced | March 2026 (estimated) |
| Awards Ceremony | Spring 2026, Atlanta (TBD) |
| Publication | Honorees featured in a special Daily Report section on Law.com |
Award Categories
The 2026 categories mirror the robust lineup from 2025, with a focus on broad impact. Most require a 500-word essay detailing the nominee’s accomplishments. Here’s a breakdown:
| Category | Eligibility & Focus | Submission Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney of the Year | Southeastern lawyers with major 2025 impact on law, community, or justice. | Selected by editorial team; no open submission. |
| Law Firm of the Year | Best overall submissions across categories; one per state if possible. | 500-word essay on firm’s standout matters. |
| Litigation Department of the Year | Firm departments excelling in subareas: General Litigation, Insurance, IP, Labor & Employment, Product Liability, Personal Injury, White Collar, Appellate, or Other Specialty. | 500 words on importance, difficulty, and ingenuity of cases. |
| Managing Partner of the Year | Leaders with exceptional 2025 performance in firm/office management. | 500-word essay on impact and peer standout. |
| In-House Lawyer of the Year | Southeast-based in-house counsel with significant accomplishments. | 500 words on skills, strategies, and results. |
| Pro Bono Leadership Award | Innovative pro bono efforts by individuals or teams. | 500 words on program innovation and community benefit. |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Honorees who’ve left a lasting imprint on the Southeast legal community. | Open to all; 500-word nomination essay. |
| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative | Programs advancing DEIB in the legal sector. | Details on measurable progress and inclusivity. |
*Full criteria and updates available on the official site; categories subject to minor tweaks.
How to Nominate
- Register & Submit: Head to the Southeastern Legal Awards portal to create an account and access nomination forms. No email submissions accepted.
- Prepare Your Entry: Focus on quantifiable results (e.g., case outcomes, community reach) and avoid generic praise. Tips from editor Michael Marciano—on crafting compelling essays and common pitfalls—will be published soon on Law.com.
- Fees & Eligibility: No nomination fees; open to all qualifying Southeastern entities. Multiple submissions per firm encouraged for broader recognition.
- Q&A Session: Join an upcoming live webinar with Marciano for submission guidance (date TBA; register via the portal).
This call for nominations underscores the SLA’s role in elevating regional talent, much like 2025’s tributes to firms like McGuireWoods for pro bono collaborations and IMS Legal Strategies for DEIB efforts. On X, the announcement is generating buzz, with Law.com urging: “Nominate the trailblazers in your network today!”
Don’t miss the deadline—submit by January 15, 2026, to position your nominees for well-deserved acclaim. For questions, email the awards team via the portal. Past winners’ stories on Law.com offer inspiration for standout entries.