Jean-Marie Sylla Legacy Award
The NBA Commercial Law Section is pleased to announce the third annual Jean-Marie Sylla, Jr. Legacy Award. The Jean-Marie Sylla, Jr. Legacy Award is a fellowship awarding a $1,500 financial award for registration and travel expenses to attend the NBA Commercial Law Section’s Corporate Counsel Conference. This year the Conference will be held in New Orleans at the Ritz Carlton from February 13, 2020 to February 15, 2020. The fellowship is made possible by Lisa M. Hathaway.
Honoring Jean-Marie Sylla’s Legacy
Jean-Marie was a founding partner in the successful Washington, DC based law firm, Taylor, Sylla & Agin, LLP, specializing in insurance, commercial, business, and real estate litigation. He also earned numerous professional awards and held several prestigious roles within the legal community. He was a dedicated member of the National Bar Association (NBA), where he served as General Counsel from 2015-2016; former member of the NBA Board of Directors; an Executive Committee Member of its Commercial Law Section; and former Chair of the Small Business Law Section. Jean-Marie was awarded the NBA’s 2016 Presidential Award and honored at the organization’s Annual Convention in July 2016. Jean-Marie was also an active member and 2015 Diversity Fellow of the American Bar Association’s Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division. Jean-Marie passed away on September 30, 2016 at the age of 47. Jean-Marie was survived by his mother Delia Sylla, his long-time love Lisa M. Hathaway, his children Joelle and Jean-Marie, III, and by a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, colleagues, and fraternity brothers from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
What are the Qualifications for the Award?
Eligible candidates should:
- Embody the commitment of service to the NBA and legal profession similar to Jean–Marie Sylla, Jr.
- Have a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 4 years of professional legal experience (i.e. U.S. Attorney’s Office, Law Firms, Clerkships, etc.)
- Complete a profile statement, which is a maximum of 1000 characters*
- Have at least one recommendation from a NBA Commercial Law Section member.
*Provide a submission of up to 1000 characters that explains why you should receive the scholarship. The submission should include: your Law School, Date of Graduation, Employer, Size of Employer (i.e. Number of Attorneys Employed) by Employer, Nature of your Practice, service to the NBA and/or community.
Please forward submissions to info@nbacls.com no later than December 20, 2019 and put Jean-Marie Sylla, Jr. Legacy Award Application as the subject header.