PROGRAMS & AWARDS

The Don E. Bailey Civility & Professionalism Award was established in 2000 to honor the memory of the late San Francisco ABOTA Chapter President Don E. Bailey, a plaintiff’s attorney who became ill while in office.

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The San Francisco Chapter’s decision to honor a member who models civility and humanity in his/her work was triggered by Don’s premature death. The award is given to honor a distinguished San Francisco ABOTA member who continually exemplifies Civility, Professionalism, and Integrity in the practice of the law while always vigorously, courageously and expertly advocating his/her clients’ causes.

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Don successfully blended tenacity with politeness; success with humility; took his clients causes seriously – but himself not so. He was a great model to younger lawyers of how to be a zealous advocate without losing one’s sense of perspective.

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He was effective but not pushy; a superior trial lawyer but never condescending. He had a long term view of life, the world and our work as trial lawyers that is to be emulated.