2026 ACC Community Champion Award
Overview
The ACC Community Champion Award recognizes an individual attorney or an in‑house legal department that exemplifies the spirit of corporate social responsibility. This honor celebrates those who go beyond their professional duties to create meaningful, measurable impact within their communities, whether through innovative give‑back models, philanthropic initiatives, or social enterprise efforts. The nomination process is fully online, making it easy for members to submit candidates who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community betterment. To access the online Nomination Form, click here.
What the Award Looks For
Nominees should demonstrate:
- A tangible “give‑back” model that ties business activity to community benefit
- Integration of social impact into corporate culture
- Measurable results such as people served, funds donated, or community milestones achieved
Examples include buy‑one‑give‑one programs, corporate partnerships that support local causes, or department‑led initiatives that directly benefit underserved communities
How the Online Nomination Process Works
The online nomination form is divided into five sections:
1. Nominee Information
Submit basic details about the individual or legal department, including organization name, company type, and contact information.
2. The “Champion” Impact
Provide written responses describing:
- The nominee’s social impact model
- How community support is integrated into their mission
- Measurable outcomes of their efforts
3. Award Benefit
Identify a proposed 501(c)(3) nonprofit beneficiary and explain how a $5,000 donation, awarded in the winner’s name, would advance the nominee’s community mission.
4. Testimonials & Evidence
Share a narrative (up to 500 words) illustrating a specific moment when the nominee made a significant difference outside of standard legal work.
5. Nominator Information
Provide your name, relationship to the nominee, and contact details.
Eligibility Requirements
To ensure the award remains focused on corporate citizenship, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- At least one attorney involved must be a member in good standing with ACC Southern California
- No disciplinary actions within the past five years
- Nominee must be an in‑house attorney or legal department (law firms are not eligible)
- Contributions must be non‑legal in nature (distinct from pro bono legal services)
- Nominee must demonstrate a measurable give‑back model
- Nominee must be able to designate a qualifying 501(c)(3) beneficiary
A full eligibility and submission checklist is included in the online form.
Submission Details
- Nominations Open: February 25, 2026
- Nomination Deadline: March 20, 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Finalists Announced: April 2, 2026
- Award Ceremony: May 8, 2026
Completed nominations must be submitted online by the deadline. Current ACC Southern California Board Members and their legal departments are not eligible.
Ready to nominate an individual or organization? Access the online nomination form HERE.
