2026 ACC Community Champion Award Nomination Form

2026 ACC Community Champion Award Nomination Form
This award honors an individual attorney or an in-house legal department that exemplifies the spirit of corporate social responsibility. We are looking for nominees who go beyond their professional duties to create tangible, meaningful impact within their communities; specifically through innovative give-back models, philanthropic initiatives, or social enterprise efforts.
Section 1: Nominee Information

Who are you nominating?
Name of Individual or Legal Department*
Company/Organization Name*
For-ProfitNon-Profit
Nominee Email/Contact*
Section 2: The "Champion" Impact

Please provide detailed responses to the following prompts.
1. The "Social Impact" Model: Describe the specific, tangible way the nominee (or their company) gives back. Similar to a "one-for-one" business model, how does their work or product result in a measurable benefit to the community?*
Example: "For every contract signed, the department funds a week of meals for a local food bank," or "The company utilizes a buy-one-give-one model for essential goods."
2. Integration of Mission: How has the nominee successfully integrated community support into their corporate culture? Describe the specific initiatives or partnerships they have built to support a social cause.*
3. Measurable Results: Please provide data or specific outcomes of their efforts. How many people were served, how much was donated, or what specific community milestone was reached because of their involvement?*
Section 3: The Award Benefit
The winner of the 2026 ACC Community Champion Award will be granted the opportunity to select a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to receive a $5,000 donation in their name.
Proposed Beneficiary*
How would this $5,000 donation further the nominee's community mission?*
Section 4: Testimonials & Evidence
Supporting Narrative (Max 500 words): Share a specific story or instance where the nominee’s dedication to community service, outside of standard legal representation, made a significant difference.*

0/500
Section 5: Nominator Information
Your Name*
Relationship to Nominee*
Nominee Email/Contact*
Section 5: Community Champion Award: Eligibility & Submission Checklist
Membership: The individual attorney, or at least one lead attorney within the in-house legal department, must be a member in good standing with the Southern California Association of Corporate Counsel.Professional Standing: The nominee must not have any pending or past disciplinary actions within the last five years.Role: For department nominations, the nominee must be an organized In-House Legal Team (at a for-profit or non-profit corporation). Private law firms are ineligible for this specific category.
Non-Legal Impact: The contribution must be distinct from pro bono legal services (legal representation for the indigent). The focus here is on philanthropy, social enterprise, or community investment.The "Tangible" Requirement: The nominee must demonstrate a "give-back" model where business activity results in a measurable community benefit (e.g., donations tied to sales, employee-led charitable initiatives, or corporate grant-making).Beneficiary Status: The nominee must be prepared to designate a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in good standing to receive the $5,000 award donation.
Completed Form: All sections of the Nomination Form (Sections 1–5) must be filled out in full.Narrative: A written statement (max 500 words) detailing the specific impact of the nominee’s work.Deadline: The online form must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on March 20, 2026.Bio & Headshot: The awardee will need to provide a current biography and headshot no later than March 26, 2026. Please email both items to s.keany@accglobal.com.
Important Dates
Nominations Open: February 25, 2026
Nomination Deadline: March 20, 2026
Finalists Announced: April 2, 2026
Award Ceremony: May 8, 2026

Note: This award focuses on social impact and corporate citizenship. For nominations regarding free legal services to the indigent, please see the separate application for the Pro Bono Excellence Award.

Current Board Members of ACC Southern California and their legal departments are ineligible for this award.
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2026 ACC Community Champion Award Nomination Form

Section 1: Nominee Information

Section 2: The "Champion" Impact

Section 3: The Award Benefit

Section 4: Testimonials & Evidence

Section 5: Nominator Information

Section 5: Community Champion Award: Eligibility & Submission Checklist