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IDP Chair Kevin Adamson Wins Lawyer of the Year Award By Todd Green, Richard G.J. McDerby, and Nancy B. Goldstein
The following article was reprinted with the permission of Big News for Smaller Firms, the magazine of the Solo and Small Firm Section of the California State Bar, where it first appeared earlier this year.
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awyer of the Year Award is presented annually by the Solo and Small Firm Section of the State Bar of California. It goes to individuals who have demonstrated years of meaningful service and leadership to the community or fellow attorneys. The recipients have contributed to the development of greater justice in a field of law. Sole practitioner Kevin Adamson, this year’s winner of the Myer J. Sankary The Myer J. Sankary Lawyer of the Year Award, exemplifies these criteria. Mr. Adamson’s practice emphasizes representing juveniles charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to complex gang-related offenses and homicides. For more than 15 years, Kevin has volunteered with the Sacramento County Bar Association’s Indigent Defense Panel Committee-an organization providing conflict representation to adults and juveniles who are charged with criminal conduct but who cannot afford retained counsel. For the past seven years, Mr. Adamson has served as chair of the panel. Kevin Adamson As chair, Mr. Adamson has devoted countless volunteer hours to developing and implement standards and policies for the group. His goal is to ensure that all clients represented by members of the panel received high-quality ad cost-effective representation. “[Kevin] is recognized by judges, public and private defenders, and others in the criminal justice community as an ethical, professional, and dedicated leader, and an exceptional attorney,” June D. Coleman, Sacramento County Bar Association President, says. “Selecting Kevin Adamson to join the distinguished previous recipients of the Myer J. Sankary Lawyer of the Year Award will continue the tradition of excellence that this award stands for.” Indeed, the presiding judge of the Juvenile Court of Sacramento County has praised him for establishing a meaningful peer-review process. Mr. Adamson’s program includes extensive qualifications review for new lawyers applying to serve of the panel. In concert with his Indigent Defense Panel service, Mr.
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SACRAMENTO LAWYER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
Adamson is a member of the Sacramento County Bar Association’s Indigent Defense Appeals Committee. The committee reviews appeals of the County’s decisions regarding panel membership, compensation to panel members. Appointed by the director of the Sacramento County Conflict Criminal Defenders in 2006, Mr. Adamson has served as this organization’s Lead Juvenile Attorney. In this capacity, Kevin acts as the director’s representative for all juvenile court matters and committees that deal with the substantive, administrative, and policy issues at the Juvenile Court. “[Kevin Adamson’s] contributions and dedication to both his clients and the greater legal community are unsurpassed,” Stacy Boulware Eurie, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court, Sacramento Superior Court, says. “[He is both] tireless and inspiring.” But Mr. Adamson’s service to the community extends beyond his field of practice. He has coached high school mock trial and moot court teams, and serves as a judge in these competition as well. His excellence, dedication, leadership and community involvement have already been recognized in his home county. Mr. Adamson won the 2006 Sacramento County Bar Association’s President’s Award for his dedication and service to the criminal justice profession. In 2007, he was the recipient of the Bar’s Distinguished Service Award for his longstanding leadership in and service to the Sacramento County Bar association. “[Kevin] epitomizes what a lawyer should be,” Frank C. Meyer, Supervising Deputy District Attorney, Sacramento County Office of District Attorney, says. “He is a spirited advocate for his clients and their best interests, while always maintaining the highest ethical standards, professional decorum, and polite respect for the court, staff, and his adversary.” It is with great pride that the Solo and Small Firm Section of the State Bar follows Sacramento County in recognizing Mr. Adamson’s accomplishments, leadership and service.