PROGRAMS & AWARDS
Recognition & Awards
CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year
Starting in 1962, the ABOTA National Executive Committee decided to choose an outstanding Californian to be selected as Trial Lawyer of the Year. In 1978 they formed, on a trial basis, a state group consisting of the Presidents of each of the then seven (7) California Chapters. At that time, National ABOTA had 24 chapters and 1,048 members. In March of 1979 it officially became CAL-ABOTA, a statewide organization whose job was to select the California Trial Lawyer of the Year and present a Seminar at the California State Bar Convention. Their first selection came in 1980.
Overtime the location and the selection process evolved. The first with the honor of being a nominee on behalf of San Joaquin Valley Chapter for the prestigious award of Trial Layer of the Year occurred in 1983. Below is a list of the Chapters nominees and those in with ** were recipients for the CAL-ABOTA award.
2025 Trial Lawyer of the Year Nominee
Michael F. Ball
Michael Ball
Oliver Wanger
Dennis R. Thelen **
Dennis R. Thelen
Dennis R. Thelen
Dennis R. Thelen
Dennis R. Thelen
Warren Paboojian **
Warren Paboojian
Warren Paboojian
Warren Paboojian
Warren Paboojian
Frank Maul
Frank Maul
Richard C. Watters**
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2006
Richard C. Watters
Richard C. Watters
Richard C. Watters
Lowell Carruth
Lowell Carruth **
Lowell Carruth
Lowell Carruth
Lawrence Wayte
Lawrence Wayte
Lawrence Wayte
Stephen Cornwell
Stephen Cornwell
Stephen Cornwell
Robert E. Sears
Robert E. Sears
2005
2004
2003
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1989
1988
1987
1984
1983
On behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of ABOTA, it is with great pride and distinction that we nominate Mike Ball for the 2025 CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. His career exemplifies the highest standards of trial advocacy, professionalism, and dedication to the legal profession.
McCormick Barstow LLP
Civility Award Recipients
Gordon Ball
Paul Auchard
Hon. Rosie McGuire
Sovann Kem
Pat Osborn
Michael Ball
Hon. David R. Lampe
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Gordon Park to Receive Civility Award
The San Joaquin Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates will present this year’s Civility Award to Gordon Park at its Annual Meeting on April 12, 2025. A respected leader in the Central Valley legal community, Gordon has spent his career exemplifying excellence in trial advocacy, generosity of spirit, and unwavering professionalism—and has been a proud member of ABOTA for 35 years.