ABA to present Silver Gavel Awards for media and the arts

The American Bar Association will present its 2021 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts, which recognize outstanding work that fosters the American public's understanding of law and the legal system, in a virtual program on Tuesday, July 13. The award is the ABA's highest honor in recognition of this purpose. 

David McCraw, vice president and deputy general counsel at The New York Times Company, will be the featured speaker.

ABA President Patricia Lee Refo will present six Silver Gavel Awards, and ABA Standing Committee on Gavel Awards Chair Sharon Stern Gerstman will present six honorable mentions selected from among 22 finalists identified from 130 entries received in all eligible categories. They include books, commentary, documentaries, drama and literature, magazines, multimedia, newspapers, radio and television.

No more than one Silver Gavel is presented in each category.

This year's Silver Gavel awarded work focuses on such matters as court secrecy and open  justice, racial justice, criminal justice system reforms and women's rights.

The Silver Gavel Awards virtual presentation is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. The program will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

The association has presented these awards annually since 1958. The 18-member ABA Standing Committee on Gavel Awards makes final award decisions.-