Every other year, the Bankruptcy Law Section honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the bankruptcy community and our Section. Section awards are presented at the Section’s biennial Bench Bar Conference. Through these awards, we celebrate those whose leadership and service embody the excellence that define our Section.
If you would like to nominate someone for a Bankruptcy Law Section Award, please submit the form here: [link]. Nominations are due during the spring in odd years. Additional information, including a hard deadline for nominations, will be sent to Section members closer to the time of Bench Bar.
BANCO ROTTO
This award is presented to a Texas bankruptcy legend who has had a lasting impact on the development of the Texas bankruptcy practice. It is the Section’s highest and most distinguished award.
“Banco Rotto” is Italian for “broken bench” and is the earliest phrase that is associated with the concept of bankruptcy, and is the phrase from which our English term “bankruptcy” is derived. Just as we can trace the origins of bankruptcy to this phrase, the Bankruptcy Law Section honors the recipients of the Banco Rotto award for their contributions to, and their lasting impact on, the bankruptcy profession.
2025 – The Honorable Barbara J. Houser
2023 – Myron M. “Mickey” Sheinfeld
2021 – The Honorable Ronald B. King
2019 – Robert Albergotti
2017 – Robin Phelan
2016 – The Honorable Harlin D. Hale
2015 – The Honorable Richard Schmidt
2014 – Professor Jay Westbrook
2013 – The Honorable Carolyn King
2012 – The Honorable John C. Akard
2011 – The Honorable Robert McGuire
2010 – The Honorable Larry Kelly
2009 – The Honorable Bill Brister
2008 – The Honorable Dean M. Gandy
ROBERT B. WILSON DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
This prestigious award, named in honor of Robert B. Wilson, the first chair of the State Bar of Texas Bankruptcy Law Section, is presented “in deep gratitude for tireless efforts and unceasing dedication and service to the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.”
2025 – Sara M. Keith
2023 – Timothy A. Million
2021 – The Honorable Joshua Searcy
2019 – Bill Wallander
2017 – Charlie Beckham
2016 – The Honorable Craig Gargotta
2015 – Layla Milligan
2014 – Eddie Rodriguez
2013 – Eric Terry
2012 – Mark Andrews/ Tom Rice
2011 – Michael McConnell
2010 – Elizabeth Guffy
2009 – Michelle Mendez
2008 – The Honorable Bill Parker
2006 – The Honorable Harlin D. Hale
2005 – Debbie Langehennig
MICHELLE A. MENDEZ AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
This award is the first award to be presented annually to a woman bankruptcy attorney or professional who is selected for her outstanding service to the Bankruptcy Law Section and the bankruptcy community at large. This award is named in tribute to Michelle A. Mendez, a force in the bankruptcy community, and a consistent and tireless advocate for women bankruptcy professionals. Prior to 2015, this award was called the Outstanding Service Award and was awarded “to a member of the bankruptcy bar who is selected for his or her outstanding service to the Bankruptcy Law Section.”
2025 – Layla D. Milligan
2023 – Katharine Clark
2021 – Elizabeth Smith
2019 – The Honorable Barbara Houser
2017 – Judith Ross
2016 – Deborah Williamson
2015 – Debbie Langehennig
2014 – Julianne Parker
2013 – Bert Conly
2012 – The Honorable Richard. S. Schmidt
2011 – Bill Wallander
2010 – Tim Million
2009 – Tom Howley
JOHN C. AKARD COMMUNITY SERVICE
In 2009, the Bankruptcy Law Section established an award in the name of the Honorable John C. Akard (retired – Lubbock) to honor current/former practitioners for outstanding achievement and service in the field of bankruptcy.
2025 – The Honorable Marvin Isgur
2023 – Michael A. McConnell
2021 – Deborah B. Lanngehennig
2019 – The Honorable Jeff Bohm
2017 – Russell Munsch
2016 – Robin Russell
2015 – The Honorable Brenda Rhoades
2014 – Travis Torrence
2013 – Beth Smith
2012 – The Honorable Bill G. Parker
2011 – Omar Alaniz
2010 – Mary Daffin
2009 – John C. Akard
2008 – Henry Flores
PRO BONO SERVICE
This award is presented to an attorney for promoting pro bono bankruptcy law practice in Texas.
2025 – Amber M. Carson
2023 – US Legal Pro
2021 – Sean Flynn
2019 – Brian Cummings and Alicia Grant
2017 – Deborah B. Langehennig
2016 – Michael Cooley
2015 – Marcy Kurtz
2014 – Mike Anglin
2013 – Byrnie Bass
2012 – Tom Black
2011 – Eddie Rodriguez
THE ACCESS FOR ALL AWARD
This award is presented to an attorney who has made significant contributions in promoting diversity, access, justice, impartiality, inclusion, and fairness in the profession and/or in removing barriers to opportunities within the profession.
2025 – Demetra Liggins
2023 – Amber Carson
ROMINA L. MULLOY-BOSSIO ACHIEVEMENT (YLC)
This award is given by the Young Lawyers Committee to an outstanding young bankruptcy attorney who has made contributions to community service, pro bono activities, and/or furthering efforts to encourage and support other young bankruptcy attorneys in their community and at large.
2025 – Emily F. Shanks
2023 – Amber Fly
2021 – Amber Carson
2019 – Jessica Voyce Lewis
2017 – David Eastlake
2016 – Katherine Hopkins
2015 – Katie D. Grissel
2014 – Joshua P. Searcy
2013 – Sara Keith
2012 – Layla D. Milligan
2011 – Frances Smith
2010 – Omar Alaniz
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
This is a Chair-nominated award presented in special recognition of extraordinary service to the Bankruptcy Law Section.
2025 – Frances A. Smith and Jordan Chavez
2023 – Frank Heuszel
2021 – The Honorable Bill Parker
2015 – Kay Walker
2014 – Michael Baumer