NEWS RELEASE

The National Center for State Courts
300 Newport Avenue · Williamsburg, Virginia  23185

Contact:
Lorri Montgomery
Communications Manager
The National Center for State Courts
757.259.1525

For Release:  Tuesday, February 5, 2002
Contact:  Daniel J. Hall
303.293.3063

Professor Harry O. Lawson
 Inducted into the Warren E. Burger Society

DENVER – On November 16, 2001 Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the United States Supreme Court inducted Professor Harry O. Lawson into the Warren A. Burger Society.  A reception will be held in Professor Harry Lawson’s honor on Tuesday February 5, 2002 at the Offices of the National Center for State Courts beginning at 4:00 PM.

“Harry Lawson has been an instrumental force for judicial reform for the past 35 years,” said Dan Hall, Vice President for the National Center for State Courts.  “His integrity, dedication and passion for strong and independent judicial systems have served the citizens of Colorado and the nation well.”

The Warren A. Burger Award is sponsored by the National Center for State Courts.  Membership is restricted to individuals who have volunteered their time, talent, and support for improving the nations state courts through education, research, and direct assistance.  Founded upon the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the National Center in 1996, the Society numbered just 50 honorees through 2001.

Lawson was one of the leaders who shaped Colorado’s independent judicial system.  He served nine years with the Legislative Council in the 1960’s where he staffed numerous studies that resulted in a constitutional amendment to the Judicial Article creating a strong and independent judiciary.  The reforms include the merit selection of judges; state funding of the Colorado’s state courts; and central funding of the state’s Public Defender system.  Because of his efforts Colorado’s judicial system has served as a model for many other states.

Lawson served 12 years as the State Court Administrator and was affiliated with the University of Denver Law School for 25 years both as faculty and Director of the Graduate Program in Judicial and Legal Administration.  Under his leadership the curriculum is noted as one of the premier judicial and legal administration programs in the country.  Over 500 graduates have received degrees.  Many now fill high-level court and legal administrative positions throughout the country. 

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