2025 NFPA William R. Robie Leadership Award Application

This award recognizes a NFPA® member in honor of the Honorable William R. Robie and his dedication to the paralegal profession, the expansion of the delivery of legal services, and equal access to justice for all Americans.

Nomination Process

Any NFPA® Voting Member Association may nominate a voting, student, or affiliate member of a NFPA® Voting Member Association for the Robie Award. The Nomination shall be accompanied by three (3) letters of recommendation, one of which shall be from the nominating Association’s President, and the remaining two may be from other individuals who can attest to the nominee’s qualifications. Letters of recommendation should contain the following information:

• Information that confirms the nominee is a voting, student, or affiliate member of a NFPA® Voting Member Association in good standing.
• A description of the following qualities: 

1. Dedication to the paralegal profession;
2. Service to the legal community; 
3. Leadership;
4. Participation in the NFPA® Voting Member Association work; 
5. Positive attitude toward paralegal education either by service on an Advisory Board, as an instructor in a paralegal program, or as a speaker in a continuing legal education presentation; and 
6. Has created a lasting legacy to the paralegal profession through some distinct contribution(s). 

Supporting documents shall be provided (e.g., newspaper articles, CLE programs).

Eligibility/Criteria for Selection

Any NFPA® Voting Member Association may nominate a NFPA® member for the award. The nominee need not be a member of the nominating NFPA® Voting Member Association but must be a member of a NFPA® Voting Member Association. Currently serving NFPA® Board members, including the NFPA® Board Advisor, are not eligible for this award. Nominees cannot be a vendor, full-time legal educator, lawyer, or sustaining member of NFPA®. 

The award recipient will have demonstrated: dedication to the paralegal profession; service to the legal community; leadership; participation in Association work; a positive attitude toward paralegal education either by service on an advisory board, as a part-time instructor in a paralegal program, or as a speaker in a continuing legal education program; and, have made a lasting legacy to the paralegal profession through some distinct contribution(s). 

Judges, at their sole discretion, will determine the award recipient based on the criteria set forth in the nominations procedure.