The Rex Lee Advocacy Award recognizes excellence in appellate advocacy. This year’s award will be presented to Don Verrilli, former U.S. Solicitor General and renowned Supreme Court advocate. Mr. Verrilli has argued more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. He is currently a partner at the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson.

The Shawn Bentley Public Service Award honors Shawn through stipends to law school students who have demonstrated a willingness to explore a public service opportunity in the legal profession in the Washington, D.C. area during law school.

In addition to the awards presentation, this year we are excited that the keynote address will be given by Justice Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Supreme Court. We also will be joined by several prominent members of the bench and bar.

The luncheon will be held at 12:00 p.m. on February 26, 2026 at the American University Washington College of Law (4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016).

PLEASE NOTE: If you are planning on attending the JRCLS International Annual Conference that will be held in conjunction with this Luncheon, please register for the Conference click here. A ticket to the Luncheon is included in the Annual Conference registration. As we are combining this event with the Annual Conference, we will have limited seating and some participants may be seated in an adjoining room to watch the event via livestream. Thank you for your understanding.