The IBA Young Lawyers' Committee annually presents an award to a young lawyer who has shown not only excellence in their work and achievements in their career to date, but also a commitment to professional and ethical standards as well as a commitment to the larger community. The award is free to enter and it is open to all lawyers, whether or not they are members of the IBA.
Each year, the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee present an award to a young lawyer who has shown not only excellence in their work and achievements in their career to date, but also a commitment to professional and ethical standards as well as a commitment to the larger community.
The IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee’s goal is to identify, discuss and promote issues relevant to young lawyers. Its purpose is to provide a point of first contact for young lawyers to the IBA so that they can learn about the other IBA divisions and become further involved in the Association.
The award created in partnership with the IBA and LexisNexis is in recognition of William Reece Smith Jr. A former IBA President, William Reece Smith Jr, who passed away in 2013, distinguished himself as one the finest and most respected legal experts. In a career spanning more than 50 years, he demonstrated leadership in the legal profession as an accomplished lawyer, an extensively published legal scholar and lecturer, a mentor and an outstanding community servant. In addition, Mr Smith exemplified a commitment to advancing many charitable and civic causes, most notably in his support for legal services to the poor. LexisNexis is delighted to sponsor an award in his name to recognise a young lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism.
Human rights lawyer Mashal Aamir is the recipient of the 2024 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for her commitment to raising awareness and advocating for the human rights situation in North Korea, as well as her academic work surrounding the rights of minorities and vulnerable communities, particularly transgender communities across the globe. The award was presented by Erika Villarreal, Treasurer of the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee, at the IBA Annual Conference 2024 in Mexico, during the Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI) breakfast on Thursday 19 September at 0800–0915.
On being the 2024 awardee, Mashal Aamir said: ‘I am grateful that this award recognises the people I represent. We might feel far removed from the sufferings in North Korea, we might not be able to relate to what it is like being in a prison in Peshawar, or being a woman in a rural village, but any violation of the rule of law engages our collective responsibility in this profession. Now more so than ever, we need the accountability of the law and for those who are far removed from its powers to be reminded that the law can reach them too. This award is a testament to the capabilities of many, when given the right support. I am thankful for the support here today.’
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