It is no secret that private law firm librarians  and knowledge managers face a work-day full of tight deadlines, and relentless demands… And yet we are fortunate enough to have colleagues who  find the bandwidth to lead the initiatives of the PLLIP Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries. Here are the newly elected members of the PLLIP Board:

Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect,  Saskia Mehlhorn, Director of Knowledge – US, Norton Rose Fulbright, Houston, TX

Secretary,  Cynthia Brown, Director, Research Services, Littler Mendelson, P.C., Fresno, CA

Member-At-Large, Jeremy Sullivan, Manager, Competitive Intelligence & Analytics, DLA Piper,  Sacramento, CA

And then there are the award winners who demonstrate excellence and dedication to the profession in a variety of contexts.…

PLLIP  AWARDS 2018

The PLLIP Board and Awards Committee Chairs Saskia Mehlhorn and Karen Oesterle announced PLLIP’s 2018 award recipients. Each of the award recipients are distinguished in their commitment and level of engagement to our profession, particularly as members and supporters the Private Law Library and Information Professional community. Award winners will be honored during the annual PLLIP business luncheon at the AALL Conference in Baltimore this coming July.

Distinguished Librarian
Steve Lastres, Director Knowledge Management Services – Debevoise & Plimpton

The PLLIP Distinguished Librarian Award is designed to recognize a long time active member whose contributions to the profession, their organization, and service to the Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals SIS have been significant, substantial and long-standing.

Hall of Fame
Martha Goldman –  retired Research & Library Services Manager – Jones Day and
Cindy Spohr –  retired Manager Librarian Relations Group – LexisNexis

The PLLIP Hall of Fame award is designed to recognize a retired member or members who over the entire course of their career made significant contributions to the private law library profession, their organization, and the Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals SIS.

Advocate of the Year
June Liebert,  Firmwide Director of Library & Research Services – Sidley Austin

The PLLIP Advocate of the Year award is designed to recognize a member who has been a strong advocate of private law librarianship, the Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals SIS, and who demonstrates outstanding potential for continued service and leadership within the SIS and the profession.

Innovative Professional of the Year
Katherine Lowry, Director of Practice Services – Baker & Hostetler

The PLLIP Innovative Professional of the Year award is designed to recognize a member who has demonstrated significant innovation within their organization,and the Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals SIS.

Best Blogger/Writer of the Year
Harris County Law Library  

The PLL Best Blogger/Writer award is designed to recognize a member or group who has made significant blogging/writing contributions to the private law library profession, and demonstrates outstanding potential for continued service and leadership within the SIS and the profession.

Emerging Leader of the Year
Leanna Simon, Reference Librarian – Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn

The PLLIP Emerging Leader award is designed to recognize a member in the early stages of their career that has made significant contributions to the law library profession, their organization, and the Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals SIS and demonstrates outstanding potential for continued service and leadership within the SIS and the profession.

Service to PLLIP Award
Kevin Miles, Manager of Library Services – Norton Rose Fulbright

The Service to PLLIP award recognizes a member who has provided significant service to the Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals SIS through their volunteerism and commitment to service.

Vendor/Outside Champion Award
Chuck Lowry, Account Executive – Fastcase

This award recognizes activities or initiatives by a vendor and their representative in promoting the value of information professionals to the broader legal community and responds to the PLLIP community as a partner and champion. 

I am delighted to see so many of my friends and colleagues honored by the PLLIP membership. Congratulations one and all.