Smith County Law Day Luncheon

TYLER � The Smith County Bar Association and Smith County Bar Foundation held their annual Law Day Luncheon on Friday. Hundreds of judges, attorneys, and legal professionals were present to celebrate Law Day and recognize various award winners. As well, numerous area children were recognized for their success in Law Day related events such as essay contests. Mock trials were held during the week as well to help educate children to the legal process.

Every year near May 1, Americans celebrate Law Day, termed an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the rule of law and the foundations of the country’s legal system. The Legacy of John Adams is the theme for Law Day 2011. This year�s theme fosters understanding of the historical and contemporary role of lawyers in defending the principle of due process and the rights of the accused.

Numerous award recipients were recognized for their service in the justice community. The Justinian Award was awarded to J. Mike Rowan. The Justinian Award recognizes a member of the Smith County Bar Association who is, or has been for the major portion of his or her professional life, a practicing attorney. The award is in recognition of longstanding dedication to volunteer service-benefiting Smith County in the area of civic, cultural, educational, health and welfare, religious or philanthropic endeavors.

This year�s recipient of the Award of Excellence is Honorable Diane V. DeVasto. This award is presented to an attorney who has significantly contributed to the community and raised the profile of the legal profession within the community. The Liberty Bell Award was given to Clay Alexander. Clay Alexander is the Resident Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Tyler Field Office. He has been a Supervisor in Tyler for the past 10 years. His notable investigations include supervision of investigations with federal response to the space shuttle crash, and the 2010 church arson and mailbox bombs investigations. He has been an ATF Special Agent for the past 24 years.

The Smith County Young Lawyer of the Year is Debby Gunter. Every year the Smith County Young Lawyers Association recognizes a member of their association for outstanding service to the community as well as the legal profession. The Legal Professional of the Year is Alice Roach Zillmer. Attorneys who have been practicing for 50 years were also recognized at the event. The Tyler Area Association of Legal Professionals (TAALP) announced the recipients of its three 2011 scholarships. Jason McCloskey is the recipient of the Betty Miller Memorial Scholarship; Jack Skeen III is the recipient of the Betty Kirby Memorial Scholarship; and Carrie L. King is the recipient of the TAALP Scholarship.

Mary Mikule, from T.K. Gorman High School, won the Smith County essay contest and was selected as the Second Place winner in the State Bar of Texas (SBOT) contest. Mary won a cash prize of $200 from the Smith County Bar Foundation. She also won a $500 cash award that will be presented to her at the SBOT Law Day luncheon in Austin. Second place went to Colleen O. Neill and third place to Hannah Frossard, all of Bishop T.K. Gorman High School.