Carson Award for Service to the Bar 

The Carson Award for Service to the Bar recognizes a member of the Marion County Bar Association whose service stands out for the individual’s exemplary service to the local legal community.  The award is named in honor of former Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson, Jr. and the recipients are selected by the Marion County Bar Association Board of Directors. The Carson Awards began with a single award to attorney Roy Harland in 1985 and became two awards in 1986.

Carson Award for Service to the Community 

The Carson Award for Service to the Community recognizes a member of the Marion County Bar Association for exemplary service to our community.  The award recipient will demonstrate volunteerism in charitable, cultural, humanitarian, or educational endeavors. The award is named in honor of former Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson, Jr. and the recipients are selected by the Marion County Bar Association Board of Directors. The Carson Awards began with a single award to attorney Roy Harland in 1985 and became two awards in 1986.

Compton Award

The Compton Award recognizes the outstanding service of a layperson to the Bar.  Named for Stuart H. Compton, the longtime chairman and president of the Pioneer Trust Bank who made significant contributions both to the Bar and his community, this honor is a symbol of the Marion County Bar’s appreciation for the dedication and hard work of a non-lawyer to our local legal community.  Award recipients are selected by the Marion County Bar Association Board of Directors.

Paul J. De Muniz Professionalism Award

At the 1999 MCBA Awards Dinner, Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson, Jr. concurred with a suggestion made by Tom Elden that there be a Marion County Bar Association Award for Professionalism. President Jim Edmonds made having such an award one of his goals; the Board adopted President Edmonds’ proposal to make the award from time to time when warranted. Board members Stephanie Smythe and Tom Elden volunteered to develop criteria for the award. The genesis of the award was an article on professionalism in the State Bar Bulletin co-authored by Chief Justice Carson. Although the Board already honors attorneys for significant contributions to the Bar and to the community, it was decided a Professionalism Award focusing on this aspect would not diminish the significance of other awards made by MCBA. At the 2013 Award Ceremony this award became the Paul J. De Muniz Award for Professionalism in honor of that year’s recipient Chief Justice Paul J. De Muniz.

Criteria: The Marion County Bar Board will annually receive nominations, and from time to time will award the Marion County Bar Award for Professionalism to an attorney or judge who in the Board’s considered view exemplifies and promotes adherence to the State Bar’s current Statement of Professionalism. In the case of a judge any references to clients in the Statement are not considered. The award honors an officer of the court who by outstanding example, and or through teaching and mentoring, and or through personal leadership exemplifies and promotes the then current State Bar of Oregon Definition of Professionalism. The current definition reads: Professionalism includes integrity, courtesy, honesty, and willing compliance with the highest ethical standards. Professionalism goes beyond observing the legal profession’s ethical rules: professionalism sensitively and fairly serves the best interests of clients and the public. Professionalism fosters respect and trust among lawyers and between lawyers and the public, promotes the efficient resolution of disputes, simplifies transactions, and makes the practice of law more enjoyable and satisfying.

When the award became the Paul J. De Muniz Award for Professionalism the criteria were simplified/summarized to state: The Paul J. De Muniz Professionalism Award recognizes a member of the Marion County Bar Association who best exemplifies the pursuit of the practice of law as a profession, demonstrating a spirit of public service and the highest possible level of competence, integrity and ethical conduct, and who serves as a role model for other attorneys. The award is in honor of former Chief Justice Paul J. De Muniz and the recipients are selected by the Marion County Bar Association Board of Directors.