Our Awards

Awards Received by the Harriett Buhai Center 

Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law:

  • National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations Public Service Award, 1985
  • Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Legal Impact Award, 1993
  • Recognized by National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges/Packard Foundation, 1997
  • People’s College of Law, Lee Solomon Community Service Award, 1998
  • Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Myra Bradwell Award, 2002
  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Irwin Cantor Innovative Program Award, 2013
  • AAML Foundation, The Jim and Lea Hennenhoefer Grant for Innovation, 2021

Betty Nordwind, Executive Director (1987-2023):

  • Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Distinguished Service Award, 1992
  • John M. Langston Bar Association, Diamond Community Leader Award, 2009
  • Zephyr M. Ramsey Award (Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law), 2009
  • AAML, Northern California Chapter, De Goff and Sherman Award for Meaningful Contributions to Family Law, 2014
  • Southern California Super Lawyer, 2005, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14
  • State Bar of California Loren Miller Legal Services Award, 2014

Awards Given by the Buhai Center 

Zephyr M. Ramsey Award

Named in honor of Zephyr Ramsey, who was one of the first Black women admitted to practice law in California and any of the western United States (on September 15, 1930) after having graduated from Howard University Law School in 1922, this award has been presented to members of the community who embody the spirit of Zephyr Ramsey: determination and commitment to justice for all people.

View past recipients of the Zephyr M. Ramsey Award

The Harriett Buhai Community Service Award

Created to honor the Buhai Center’s namesake, Harriett Buhai, this award has been presented to members of the community who possess the same attributes as Harriett: protecting and defending the rights of others, particularly low-income members of the community.

View past recipients of the Harriett Buhai Community Service Award

 

Mercy Fresno Hall of Fame Award

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes the efforts of an individual who has exhibited, by action and deed over an extended period of time, exceptional service and dedication to the Buhai Center, its clients, and its causes, and who has left a permanent mark in its history as its namesake.

View past recipients of the Hall of Fame Award

Frances Wender Kandel Volunteer of the Year Award

Created posthumously to honor community and feminist activist Frances Wender Kandel, the award is bestowed upon recipients who have followed in the large footprints she left behind.

View past recipients of the Frances Wender Kandel Volunteer of the Year Award

Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award

Awarded annually to a volunteer lawyer who has provided substantial and extraordinary service in a case or cases, providing relief to a client or clients who, without the assistance of the pro bono attorney, would have been irreparably injured.

View past recipients of the Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award

New Volunteer of the Year Award

Awarded to an individual who joined the volunteer team at the Buhai Center within the last 12 months and exhibits dedication, energy, and commitment to serve as a role model for other new participants.

View past recipients of the New Volunteer of the Year Award

Pro Bono Firm Award

The Pro Bono Firm of the Year award honors a firm whose members provide exceptional professional assistance to Center clients. The firm’s generous contribution of its time and expertise ensures that the Center’s clients have meaningful access to the family court system.