The Beverly Hills Bar Association (BHBA), heralded for championing access to justice, an independent judiciary, and the Rule of Law, honored legal titans The Hon. Arthur Gilbert and leading trial lawyer Thomas J. Nolan at the fifth annual “BHBA Litigation Awards Dinner” on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
At the dinner held at the Montage Beverly Hills, Justice Gilbert, Presiding Justice of the Second District, Division Six of the California Courts of Appeal, received the “Ronald M. George Award for Judicial Excellence,” named for the former California Supreme Court Chief Justice who retired in 2011 and was its first recipient.
Nolan, partner and chair of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s West Coast litigation practice and widely recognized as one of the nation’s top trial attorneys, received the “Excellence in Advocacy Award,” which honors a trial lawyer whose case successes have resulted from expert legal skills, unique trial strategy and courtroom teamwork, and who also gives back to the community.
“The Beverly Hills Bar Association is pleased to recognize Justice Gilbert and Thomas Nolan for their invaluable work serving the community and the legal profession at the highest possible level,” said BHBA President Linda E. Spiegel.
Jonathan Stein, chair of the BHBA Litigation Section and the Litigation Awards Dinner, said the pair were distinguished leaders who have advanced the legal profession in myriad ways during their illustrious careers.
Justice Gilbert, who has been called “the Court of Appeals’ poet laureate” for his concise well-written judicial opinions, was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Jerry Brown in 1982 and appointed Presiding Justice in 1999.
He previously served on the Los Angeles Municipal and Superior Courts.
Noted for his exemplary service, Justice Gilbert has made significant contributions to the legal system, legal scholarship, and legal education.
Also a probing columnist on a tireless quest to reveal little known facets of the justice system, he has written a column, “Gilbert Submits,” for the legal newspaper The Los Angeles Daily Journal since 1988.
He is the author of “Under Submission: The First Twenty Years,” offering humorous and provocative insights into the legal world.
Justice Gilbert received his law degree from UC Berkeley’s Bolt Hall and graduated from UCLA with a major in English Literature.
Meanwhile, trial lawyer Thomas Nolan has obtained jury verdicts of more than $1 billion and defeated claims exceeding $2 billion for his clients.
He is a former federal prosecutor and served as chief of fraud and special prosecutions in the Los Angeles United States Attorney’s Office.
Nolan’s extensive trial experience includes representing corporations and individuals, including directors and officers, in both complex civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts.
He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a fellow of the Academy of Trial Lawyers and has served as a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference.
Nolan received his J.D. from Loyola Law School and was recently named one of its 50 most inspirational alumni.
He was named “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year” by the California Bar Association for his representation of tenants against a slumlord, which resulted in a record-breaking settlement mid-trial.
The Beverly Hills Bar Association, founded in 1931, is the fifth largest bar association in California with nearly 6,000 members. Its mission is to serve its members, to lead the legal profession, and to advocate for justice in the community.
