Considerations of the Award Committee:

  • Contributions to the community

  • Contributions to improve the status of women, in society and in the legal profession

  • Contributions to the BCWB and its projects

  • Experience, reputation, and standing in the legal community

The Belva Lockwood Awards

Each year Bexar County Women's Bar selects two female attorneys who embody the principles of Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood (October 24, 1830 – May 19, 1917).

Lockwood was an American attorney, politician, educator, and author. She was active in working for women's rights, The term feminist was not in use at the time; the press of her day referred to her as a "suffragist" -- someone who believed in women's suffrage or voting rights. Lockwood overcame many social and personal obstacles related to gender restrictions. After college, she became a teacher and principal, working to equalize pay for women in education. She supported the movement for world peace, and was a proponent of temperance.

Lockwood graduated from law school in Washington, D.C. and became one of the first female lawyers in the United States. In 1879, she successfully petitioned Congress to be allowed to practice before the United States Supreme Court, becoming the first woman attorney given this privilege. Lockwood ran for president in 1884 and 1888 on the ticket of the National Equal Rights Party and was the first woman to appear on official ballots.

We are so proud of our members who continue to change the face of our community and further women in our profession. Recipients are chosen based on contributions to the legal profession, and contributions to the community in the form of charitable and volunteer work. Nominees are evaluated based on experience, reputation, and standing in the legal community. The Young Lawyer Award is given to an attorney who has been in practice three to ten years.

The Belva Lockwood Outstanding Lawyer and Outstanding Young Lawyer Awards recipients will be honored at this year's Autumn Affair.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Member and in good standing with BCWB

  • Outstanding Lawyer: Licensed 11+ years

  • Outstanding Young Lawyer: Licensed 3-10 years

  • Sitting judges are not eligible

2024 Belva Lockwood Awardees

Marissa Helm
Outstanding Lawyer

Jade Heep
Outstanding Young Lawyer

Past Recipients

  • 2023

    Outstanding Lawyer: ileta A. Sumner

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Danielle Rushing Behrends

  • 2022

    Outstanding Lawyer: Tiffanie Clausewitz

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Lara Brock

  • 2021

    Outstanding Lawyer: Lisa Tatum

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Casey Lee

  • 2020

    Outstanding Lawyer: Hon. Pamela Mathy

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Alicia M. Grant

  • 2019

    Outstanding Lawyer: Hon. Rebecca Simmons

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Melanie L. Fry

  • 2018

    Outstanding Lawyer: Monica Ramirez Trollinger

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Ashley Senary Dahlberg

  • 2017

    Outstanding Lawyer: Suzanne Oliva

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Amanda Crouch

  • 2016

    Outstanding Lawyer: Cynthia Orr

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Lauren Horne

  • 2015

    Outstanding Lawyer: Sara E. Dysart

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Shari Mao

  • 2014

    Outstanding Lawyer: Leslie Hyman

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Natalie Friend Wilson

  • 2013

    Outstanding Lawyer: Lisa Barkley

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Molly Neck

  • 2012

    Outstanding Lawyer: Sylvia Cardona

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Tiffanie Clausewitz

  • 2011

    Outstanding Lawyer: Carol Jendrzey

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Priscilla Camacho

  • 2010

    Outstanding Lawyer: Hon. Elizabeth Copeland

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Marissa Helm

  • 2009

    Outstanding Lawyer: Pamela Huff

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Natalie Hall

  • 2008

    Outstanding Lawyer: Diana Geis

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Emma Cano

  • 2007

    Outstanding Lawyer: Nissa Dunn

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Kristal Cordova-Thomson

  • 2006

    Outstanding Lawyer: Abigail Kampmann

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Laura Mason

  • 2005

    Outstanding Lawyer: Hon. Renee Yanta

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Carmen Samaniego

  • 2004

    Outstanding Lawyer: Rosa Cabezas-Gil

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Regina Stone-Harris

  • 2003

    Outstanding Lawyer: Elizabeth Lindell

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Amber Lidell-Alwais

  • 2002

    Outstanding Lawyer: Jill Torbert

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Teresa Oxford

  • 2001

    Outstanding Lawyer: Laurie Weiss

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Angela Sanchez

  • 2000

    Outstanding Lawyer: Patricia Diaz Dennis

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Dayla Pepi

  • 1999

    Outstanding Lawyer: Diann Bartek

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: ileta Sumner

  • 1998

    Outstanding Lawyer: Hon. Barbara Nellermoe

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Hon. Elizabeth Copeland

  • 1997

    Outstanding Lawyer: Nancy Anderson

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Patricia Blaschke De Veau

  • 1996

    Outstanding Lawyer: Malinda Gaul

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Danielle Hargrove

  • 1995

    Outstanding Lawyer: Evelyn Biery

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Pamela Huff

  • 1994

    Outstanding Lawyer: Nancy Taylor Shivers

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Stacy Ferguson

  • 1993

    Outstanding Lawyer: Patricia Flynn

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Jane Dingivan

  • 1992

    Outstanding Lawyer: Jane Macon

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Sue Bench

  • 1991

    Outstanding Lawyer: Barbara Bader Aldave

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Lisa Wortham

  • 1990

    Outstanding Lawyer: Mary Brennan Stich

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Melissa Priest

  • 1989

    Outstanding Lawyer: Margaret Maisel

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Martha Fitzwater

  • 1988

    Outstanding Lawyer: Cyndi Taylor Krier

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Jo Chris Lopez

  • 1987

    Outstanding Lawyer: Jane Bockus

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Phyllis Mulder

  • 1986

    Outstanding Lawyer: Sue Hall

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Linda Gutierrez

  • 1985

    Outstanding Lawyer: Peggy Butler

    Outstanding Young Lawyer: Denise Martinez