Southeastern Legal Awards 2024: A Candid Q&A With ALM’s Regional Managing Editor Michael Marciano

Southeastern Legal Awards 2024: A Candid Q&A With ALM’s Regional Managing Editor Michael Marciano

The deadline for nomination submissions for the Southeastern Legal Awards is imminent. The awards seek to honor and recognize excellence and achievement within the legal sector. This year, the regional managing editor at ALM, Michael Marciano, will be the person behind the contest. As Marciano moves into his eighth year at the company, this will be his first time handling duties for the awards, injecting fresh perspective and experience into the process.

Expanding the Southeastern Legal Awards

Although the Southeastern Legal Awards are not new, they have been seeing a significant growth in the range of states from which they accept submissions. Initially restricted to Georgia, the awards now welcome entries from North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, broadening the scope of attorneys and law firms celebrated.

Introducing New Categories

To offer a more comprehensive recognition of talent, the awards are introducing two categories this year: Young Lawyer of the Year and Managing Partner of the Year. These categories reflect an acknowledgment of both emerging talent and experienced leaders within law firms. The categories look at the wide spectrum of experiences within the legal field, recognizing individuals who have been instrumental in shaping their firms, and the sector overall.

Casting a Wide Net

The Southeastern Legal Awards are not restricted to attorneys licensed in the stated areas. Non-licensed individuals can also be nominated for certain categories such as Best Mentors and Unsung Heroes, dependent on the individual submissions. The awards welcome nominations from anyone within the legal community who wishes to highlight their own contributions or those of their colleagues. Non-attorneys are also invited to nominate lawyers or firms whom they believe have delivered outstanding counsel.

The Judges and Their Expectations

The judging panel, which comprises an editorial team from ALM and a select group of external evaluators, will be led by Marciano. They will carefully consider each submission based on various factors, including innovation and experience, as well as tangible results. Particularly for the On the Rise category, the judges’ panel will include external members to ensure varied perspectives. There will be a follow-up Q&A with the judges from 2023 to provide further insights into the judging process.

Call for Submissions

The Southeastern Legal Awards invite and encourage all interested parties to submit their nominations before the deadline of March 1. For more information about the Southeastern Legal Awards and other Recognition Events awards, nominations and submissions can be made through contacting Pearl Wu, the Recognition Events Desk Manager.