The American Bar Section of State, Local and Tribal Government Law will honor recently retired Chicago law partner Donna J. Pugh; California law partner Mark S. Williams; Tulane Law Professor and Vice Dean Stacy E. Seicshnaydre; North Carolina Special Deputy Attorney General Ashley B. Weathers; and Houston attorney Jimmie C. Herring, Jr., with the Jefferson B. Fordham Society Awards.
The Fordham awards, which recognize the outstanding achievements of practitioners and institutions in state, local, regional and tribal government law, is named for the section’s first chair, who made the section the national resource for the advancement of state and local government law practice. This year’s awards are presented in three categories: lifetime achievement, advocacy, and up-and-comers.
The Jefferson B. Fordham Society Awards Luncheon will be held during the 2026 ABA Annual Conference in Chicago, Friday, July 31, at Avli on the Park.
“Our colleagues were chosen for their exceptional contributions to the field of state, local and tribal government law practice,” said section chair William J. Scheiderich. “They represent diverse practice areas — including private practice, academia and government — and they exemplify the characteristics of practitioners for which Jefferson Fordham first brought recognition to the American Bar Association. Their accomplishments in promoting the rule of law set an example for attorneys and law students everywhere.”
The Jefferson B. Fordham awardees are:
Donna J. Pugh — Daniel J. Curtin, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award (presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the practice of state and local government law by an individual over an entire career, for contributions over several years of service).
Pugh recently retired as a partner at Foley & Lardner, capping a 43-year land use and entitlements practice. With her approach of bridging the gap between client, civic and municipal needs, Pugh had an exceptionally high success rate of securing approvals for many high-profile land development projects in the Chicago area. She managed many pro bono legal matters for social service facilities and was heavily engaged in civic and community activities.
Mark S. Williams — Daniel J. Curtin, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award (presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the practice of state and local government law by an individual over an entire career, for contributions over several years of service).
Williams is a partner at Fagen Friedman Fulfrost LLP, F3 LAW, and is nationally recognized for his outstanding education law knowledge and client service delivery. Williams represents K-12 school districts, community colleges and Joint Powers Authorities. He created the California Student Data Privacy Agreement and then led the efforts to draft the Nationwide Student Data Privacy Agreement. The sophisticated yet easy-to-read documents are used by thousands of school districts throughout California and in 37 states and have earned him a reputation as a highly regarded authority on technology procurement and student data privacy.
Stacy E. Seicshnaydre — Anita P. Miller Advocacy Award (presented in recognition of outstanding legal advocacy within the area of state and local government law and celebrates excellence in advocacy, both written and otherwise).
Seicshnaydre is the William K. Christovich Professor of Law and Robert A. Ainsworth Professor in the Courts and the Federal System and vice dean of Academic Affairs at Tulane Law School. She is a leading authority on fair housing and anti-discrimination law. Her research and writing on housing law and policy have been influential in federal civil rights litigation. Previously, she served as associate dean for Experiential Learning and Public Interest programs and director of Tulane Law School’s Civil Litigation Clinic, where she oversaw the full range of skills training, including clinics, trial advocacy and moot court, externships, Tulane’s pioneering pro bono program and guided students in the representation of clients on a variety of civil rights cases in federal courts at the district and appellate levels.
Ashley B. Weathers — Up & Comers Award (presented to a young practitioner, up to age 36, who, through their efforts and accomplishments, shows great promise to continue these contributions for future achievements).
Weathers, a special deputy attorney general with the North Carolina Department of Justice, represents the Department of Public Instruction and state entities in civil litigation and administrative matters. A dedicated public servant, she previously served as a staff attorney with Legal Services of Central New York and as an appeals referee with the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Since joining the DOJ in 2022, she has earned multiple promotions, reflecting her leadership and legal excellence. She also serves in leadership positions in the ABA Young Lawyers Division and National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.
Jimmie C. Herring, Jr. — Elizabeth Clark Young Lawyers Fellowship Award (presented to a young lawyer whose past efforts and accomplishments show great promise for excellence in the practice of public law).
Herring is a federal government attorney based in Houston, licensed in Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Texas. He previously served as a federal judicial law clerk in the Western District of Louisiana and has held multiple roles across state and federal government. A cum laude graduate of Southern University and Southern University Law Center, he also earned a Master of Public Administration from LSU. Active in the ABA, he holds several leadership roles and was named a 2023–2024 ABA On the Rise Top 40 Young Lawyer, reflecting his commitment to civic engagement, public policy and community advocacy.
The Fordham awards, which recognize the outstanding achievements of practitioners and institutions in state, local, regional and tribal government law, is named for the section’s first chair, who made the section the national resource for the advancement of state and local government law practice. This year’s awards are presented in three categories: lifetime achievement, advocacy, and up-and-comers.
The Jefferson B. Fordham Society Awards Luncheon will be held during the 2026 ABA Annual Conference in Chicago, Friday, July 31, at Avli on the Park.
“Our colleagues were chosen for their exceptional contributions to the field of state, local and tribal government law practice,” said section chair William J. Scheiderich. “They represent diverse practice areas — including private practice, academia and government — and they exemplify the characteristics of practitioners for which Jefferson Fordham first brought recognition to the American Bar Association. Their accomplishments in promoting the rule of law set an example for attorneys and law students everywhere.”
The Jefferson B. Fordham awardees are:
Donna J. Pugh — Daniel J. Curtin, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award (presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the practice of state and local government law by an individual over an entire career, for contributions over several years of service).
Pugh recently retired as a partner at Foley & Lardner, capping a 43-year land use and entitlements practice. With her approach of bridging the gap between client, civic and municipal needs, Pugh had an exceptionally high success rate of securing approvals for many high-profile land development projects in the Chicago area. She managed many pro bono legal matters for social service facilities and was heavily engaged in civic and community activities.
Mark S. Williams — Daniel J. Curtin, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award (presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the practice of state and local government law by an individual over an entire career, for contributions over several years of service).
Williams is a partner at Fagen Friedman Fulfrost LLP, F3 LAW, and is nationally recognized for his outstanding education law knowledge and client service delivery. Williams represents K-12 school districts, community colleges and Joint Powers Authorities. He created the California Student Data Privacy Agreement and then led the efforts to draft the Nationwide Student Data Privacy Agreement. The sophisticated yet easy-to-read documents are used by thousands of school districts throughout California and in 37 states and have earned him a reputation as a highly regarded authority on technology procurement and student data privacy.
Stacy E. Seicshnaydre — Anita P. Miller Advocacy Award (presented in recognition of outstanding legal advocacy within the area of state and local government law and celebrates excellence in advocacy, both written and otherwise).
Seicshnaydre is the William K. Christovich Professor of Law and Robert A. Ainsworth Professor in the Courts and the Federal System and vice dean of Academic Affairs at Tulane Law School. She is a leading authority on fair housing and anti-discrimination law. Her research and writing on housing law and policy have been influential in federal civil rights litigation. Previously, she served as associate dean for Experiential Learning and Public Interest programs and director of Tulane Law School’s Civil Litigation Clinic, where she oversaw the full range of skills training, including clinics, trial advocacy and moot court, externships, Tulane’s pioneering pro bono program and guided students in the representation of clients on a variety of civil rights cases in federal courts at the district and appellate levels.
Ashley B. Weathers — Up & Comers Award (presented to a young practitioner, up to age 36, who, through their efforts and accomplishments, shows great promise to continue these contributions for future achievements).
Weathers, a special deputy attorney general with the North Carolina Department of Justice, represents the Department of Public Instruction and state entities in civil litigation and administrative matters. A dedicated public servant, she previously served as a staff attorney with Legal Services of Central New York and as an appeals referee with the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Since joining the DOJ in 2022, she has earned multiple promotions, reflecting her leadership and legal excellence. She also serves in leadership positions in the ABA Young Lawyers Division and National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.
Jimmie C. Herring, Jr. — Elizabeth Clark Young Lawyers Fellowship Award (presented to a young lawyer whose past efforts and accomplishments show great promise for excellence in the practice of public law).
Herring is a federal government attorney based in Houston, licensed in Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Texas. He previously served as a federal judicial law clerk in the Western District of Louisiana and has held multiple roles across state and federal government. A cum laude graduate of Southern University and Southern University Law Center, he also earned a Master of Public Administration from LSU. Active in the ABA, he holds several leadership roles and was named a 2023–2024 ABA On the Rise Top 40 Young Lawyer, reflecting his commitment to civic engagement, public policy and community advocacy.
