Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Justice Department Employees and Partners for the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees.

“Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country. 

The 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards and recipients are as follows.

70th Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2022

The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award given by the Justice Department to recognize employee achievement. The Attorney General commends Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell Manda Sertich, and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter; Paralegals Henry Fronk of the Civil Rights Division and Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; and Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the Department’s second highest award for employee performance; there are 13 Distinguished Service Awards for 2022.

The first Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Deputy Chief Barbara “Bobbi” Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Special Agents Jeffrey Roberts, Marcus Griffin, and Skylar Barnes; Investigator Steven Harrell of the Civil Rights Division; Paralegals Taylore Thomas of the Civil Rights Division and Tracy Long for the Southern District of Georgia; Victim Witness Coordinators Kellie Wiggins and Iverna Campbell for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Maria Pagan; Special Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Perras of the Civil Rights Division; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Amy Vaughan.

The second Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Supervisory Special Agents Michael D. Muller and Kerry M. Whitmore of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA Diversion Investigator Jessica A. Stransky-Chrisman; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos, Alexandra Rothman, Louis Pellegrino, Stephanie Lake, and Thomas Burnett for the Southern District of New York; DEA Special Agent George J. Burdzy; DEA Diversion Investigators Kathleen M. Whitmore, Brittany G. Korines, and Christine L. Barnes; and DEA Staff Coordinator William J. Kivelehan.

The third Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Zachary Stendig, and Anatoly Smolkin for the District of Maryland; FBI Special Agent Alicia C. Zimmerman, FBI Task Force Officer Detective Tara Baione Augustin, FBI Task Force Officer Kyrie Yackovich, FBI Staff Operations Specialist John Coward II; Special Agent Kimmesia Sampson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The fourth Distinguished Award is presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia and Jessica Lieber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp, and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.

The fifth Distinguished Award is presented to Acting Director Katherine Harman-Stokes of the Office of Privacy & Civil Liberties; Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Richard Downing and Bruce Swartz of the Criminal Division; Associate Director Sheri Shepherd-Pratt of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs; Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Senior Counsels Benjamin Fitzpatrick and Kenneth Harris of the Criminal Division; and Attorney Advisor Hannah Mayer of the Criminal Division.

The sixth Distinguished Award is presented to Supervisor Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Viera; Deputy U.S. Marshals Teddy Josh Moff, Brady M. Flannigan, Troy W. Oberly, and Kyle L. Perry; and Task Force Officers Brandon J. Bansemer and Truman S. Wiles of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

The seventh Distinguished Award is presented to Director John Patrick Glynn of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Section.

The eighth Distinguished Award is presented to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aidan Taft Grano-Mickelsen, Dennis M. Fitzpatrick, and John T. Gibbs for the Eastern District of Virginia; Trial Attorney Alicia H. Cook of the National Security Division; Paralegal Specialist Nicole M. Lopez for the Eastern District of Virginia; Victim-Witness Coordinator Jennifer A. Donnarumma for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI Supervisory Special Agent John M. Chiappone; FBI Special Agents Brian D. Czekala, Daniel P. O’Toole, William H. Heaney, and Julius F. Nutter; FBI Intelligence Analyst Edward R. Laney; Command Judge Advocate Elisabeth L. Gilman of the Department of Defense; and Associate Deputy General Counsel Michael D. Vozzo of the Department of Defense.

The ninth Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss R. Basil, Alexia R. DeVincentis, Stephen E. Frank, Kristen A. Kearney, Justin D. O’Connell, Ian J. Stearns, Leslie A. Wright, and Carol E. Head for the District of Massachusetts, Financial Investigator Lauren M. George for the District of Massachusetts, FBI Special Agents Laura C. Smith, Kaitlyn A. Cedrone, Keith T. Brown, and Chris Giankura; IRS Special Agent Elizabeth A. Keating; and Special Agent Mark G. Deckett of the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.

The 10th Distinguished Award is presented to FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Andrew P. Patchman; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edward A. Panetta; FBI Special Agents Raymond Esposito and Keri A. Shannon; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Amanda Rossi and Samir Taslaman; FBI Language Specialist Dragan Minic; FBI Assistant Legal Attaches Veh Bezdikian and Justin Hefner; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Hafetz, J. Matthew Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York; Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer for the Eastern District of New York; and DHS Special Agent/Task Force Officer Charles M. Reich.

The 11th Distinguished Award is presented to Attorney-Advisors Christopher Clements, Megan Fluckiger, Alice Jou, Tyler Wood, and Stephen Buckingham of the National Security Division; Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Mike Granzini.

The 12th Distinguished Award is presented to Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Nutt of the Office of the Inspector (OIG); OIG Program Manager Mark E. Gray; OIG Special Agent Rolando Ortiz-Rodriguez; Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Karen Rich, Office of the Inspector General.

The 13th Distinguished Award is presented to Chief of the Criminal Appeals Division David C. James for the Eastern District of New York.

The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes a remarkable act of bravery and risk of life while performing official duties. Two Exception Herrorism Awards are presented this year.

The first Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented posthumously to DEA Group Supervisor Michael G. Garbo; DEA Special Agent Steven J. Fox; DEA Detective/Task Force Officer Gabe A. Lopez of the Tucson Police Department; Sergeant/Task Force Officer Jesse Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department; and Officer/Task Force Officer Phillip M. Hengsteler Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department.

The second Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented to USMS Senior Inspector Michael Cundiff.

The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity pays tribute former Attorney General Edward H. Levi by honoring an individual whose service to the Department exemplifies these qualities. The 2022 recipient of this award is Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division.

The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2022.

The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Acting Deputy Chief Gerald A. Toner of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented posthumously to Deputy Chief Nathaniel Douglas of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environment Enforcement Section.

The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement recognizes state and local law enforcement officials who have made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. The 2022 recipients of this award are Assistant Special Agents in Charge Richard Dial and Jason Seacrist of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country recognizes extraordinary efforts by Justice Department employees that demonstrate the Department’s commitment to fight crime in Indian Country. The award is presented to DEA Supervisory Special Agent Mihajlo D. Zivkovic; DEA Special Agents Daryl A. Iannillo, Christopher H. Salyer, and Virginia W. Foster; DEA Task Force Officer Preston H. Brogdon; Officer Tyler Bond of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Rex Van Ausdall of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Sergeant Steve Gunis of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; and Chief Nathan Huibregtse of the Yavapai Apache Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers within the Justice Department. Two Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards are presented for 2022.

The first Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to DEA Special Agents Adam J. Cirillo, Adrian M. Owens, Kelly Y. Chang, Kelly D. Webster, Kevin D. Novick, Silvana M. Restrepo, Trenton L. Shaffer, and Tiffany Hsieh; and DEA Intelligence Analyst Diana D. Wu.

The second Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Margaret Mande; FBU Special Agent Jose M. De La Sierra; FBI Special Agent William Lewis Donaldson III; and Supervisory Officer/Task Force Officer Daniel Jose Gonzalez of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significant improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs. The award is presented to Director for Strategic Planning and Performance Staff Robin S. Funston of the Justice Management Division; Senior Performance Advisor Tennille R. Nance of the Justice Management Division; Senior Evaluation Advisor Russell C. Burnett of the Justice Management Division; Senior Advisor for Enterprise Risk Management Debra R. Williams of the Justice Management Division; Program Analyst Marita J. La Palm of the Justice Management Division; Senior Counsel Sonja M. Ralston of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; and Special Advisor Apiyo Oloya of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes exceptional achievement in applying information technology to enhance Department operations, maintain efficiency, and solve problems. This award is presented to FBI Information Technology Specialists Angela S. Epperly, Chad E. Elliott, Dennis G. Klingensmith, Donald Carpenter Jr., Dustin Tawney, Gregory A. Wood, James D. Marple, James M. Murray, Matthew L. Groves, Nicholas Daniel Fleming, Richard L. Whitescarver, Tonya Nicole Church, and Warren A. Morgan Jr.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. national security. This award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve for the Southern District of California; Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley for the Southern District of California; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling, Adam James, Marina Shalfeyeva, Nicholas Arico, and Udell Hardy; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante. The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the Department’s highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Special Assistant Erika Pugh of the Office of the FBI Deputy Director; FBI Supervisory Management and Program Analysts Janelle Anite Jones and Joshua Lyn Curry; FBI Management and Program Analysts Kathleen Ann Oltman, Kourtney Pearson, and Amanda L. Carroll; and FBI Special Advisor/Management and Program Analyst Apiyo Oloya.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys by paralegal specialists and other legal assistants.

The first award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Litigation Technology Case Manager Amanda J. Reinken of the Tax Division.

The second award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Data Analyst Patrick Gifford of the Criminal Division.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. This award is presented to Administrative Services Specialist Rae N. Ross of the Justice Management Division.

The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility recognizes a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in the area of professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. The award is presented to Senior Associate Counsel William J. Birney of the Office of Professional Responsibility.

The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C. Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida and Dina McLeod for the Southern District of New York; Special Agents David Brant of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Special Agent Tyreek Brown of the U.S. Secret Service; Special Agents Sara Oliver, Sandip Singh, and Simon Dinitis of the Small Business Administration; Special Agent Ramon De Leon of the Social Security Administration; FBI Special Agents Adam Dixon and Zac Effting; and General Analyst Larry Alfonso of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes excellent achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes the significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of these programs. This award is presented to Deputy U.S. Marshal Albert Maresca Jr.

The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service. The 2022 award is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Daniel L. Winik of the Civil Division.

The John Marshall Awards are the Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance. Ten awards in eight categories are presented this year.

The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Deputy Chiefs Alixandra E. Smith and Jennifer E. Ambuehl of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Co-Principal Deputy Chief Brent Wible of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew G. Rolle and Dylan Stern for the Eastern District of New York.

The second John Marshall Award is presented to Acting Chief Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander F. Mindlin and Artie McConnell for the Eastern District of New York.

The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Deputy Chief Rachael Tamar Hagler of the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section; Trial Attorneys Erin Meehan Richmond, Kathryn Legomsky, and Natasha Babazedeh of the Civil Rights Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Campion and Susan Millenky for the District of New Jersey.

The fourth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Counsel Jared S. Hosid of the Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Miller for the District of Columbia, Geoffrey Barrow for the District of Oregon, and Marcus Busch for the Northern District of Texas; National Criminal Discovery Coordinator Andrew Goldsmith of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Legal Administrative Officer Caitlin Grzymala of the Antitrust Division; FBI Associate Division Counsel Vicki Wilson; Litigation Technology Coordinator Susan Cooke of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Program Manager Mustafa Edrisy of the Justice Management Division; Information Technology Program Manager John Brandon Platt of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell of the National Security Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joshua Taylor; FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan; Information Technology Specialist Joshua Ellen for the Western District of North Carolina; Paralegal Specialist Cassi Wiseman of the Antitrust Division; and Litigation Chief Karen McColman of the National Security Division’s Technology Support Services.

The fifth John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Lindsey Powell of the Civil Division.

The sixth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Rosemary A. Hart of the Office of Legal Counsel; Senior Counsels Laura E. Heim and Nathan Forrester of the Office of Legal Counsel; Counsel Nicholas Nasrallah of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Attorney-Advisors James A. Durling, Amin Aminafar, Janine S. Balekdijan, Kevin J. Barber, Conor J. Clarke, Conor J. Craft, Adam Grogg, Kelley Brooke Hostetler, Anjali Motgi, and Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel.

The seventh John Marshall Award for Preparation or Handling of Legislation is presented to Chief Sarah Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; and Attorney-Advisors Molly Cusson and Susan Schneider of the Criminal Division.

The eighth John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Section Chief Seth M. Barsky of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Assistant Section Chief Meredith L. Flax of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Senior Attorney Mary E. Hollingsworth of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Briena L. Strippoli and Devon L. Flanagan of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Chief Susan S. Brandon for the Eastern District of Oklahoma’s Civil Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. O’Malley for the Eastern District of Oklahoma; Senior Policy Advisor Darrin L. McCullough of the Criminal Division; Assistant Section Chief Jennifer L. Crane of the USMS’ Asset Forfeiture Division; USMS Property Management Specialist Cynthia L. Bridges; and USMS Assistant Chief Inspector Sean M. Xuereb.

The ninth John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Soler, David Z. Moskowitz, Katherine A. Ross, Jacob Licht, and Nicholas A. Deuschle for the District of Colorado.

71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2023

The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award granted by the Attorney General within the Justice Department. The 2023 award is presented to Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price; IRS Special Agent John Tschida; and Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the second highest Justice Department award granted by the Attorney General. There are 16 Distinguished Service Awards presented in 2023.

The first Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Director Andrew R. Lange of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)’s Enforcement Programs and Services; Chief Vivian S. Chu of the ATF’s Office of Regulatory Affairs;           ATF Senior Economist Jeana L. Davalos; ATF Regulations Writers Helen L. Koppe and Denise R. Brown; ATF Senior Policy Counsel Eric M. Epstein; ATF Associate Chief Counsel James P. Vann; ATF Deputy Associate Chief Counsel Jonathan S. Jacobs; ATF Senior Counsel Melissa A. Anderson; ATF Firearms & Ammunition Chief William J. Ryan; ATF Chief Counsel Pamela J. Hicks.

The second Distinguished Service award is presented to Economists Malika Krishna and Jessica C. Stahl of the Antitrust Division; Trial Attorneys Ihan Kim, Jessica Leal, Brittney A. Dimond, Sarah Licht, Jon Goldsmith, Bennett Matelson, Collier Kelley, John P. Read, Kevin Krautscheid, Lauren Riker, Ethan Stevenson, and Robert Vance of the Antitrust Division; and Senior Litigation Counsel Jeffrey Vernon of the Antitrust Division.

The third Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sarah E. Harrington of the Civil Division; Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S. Raab of the Civil Division; Senior Appellate Counsel Alisa B. Klein of the Civil Division; Assistant Branch Directors Eric B. Beckenhauer and Julie Straus Harris of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch; Assistant Director Hilary K. Perkins of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch; Appellate Attorney Cynthia A. Barmore of the Civil Division; Trial Attorneys Christopher A. Eiswerth, Kate Talmor, Emily B. Nestler, Noah T. Katzen, Scott P. Kennedy, Oliver J. McDonald, and Isaac C. Belfer of the Civil Division; Assistants to the Solicitor General Luke McCloud and Erica Ross; Special Counsel Daniel S. Schwei of the Civil Division; Counsel Kathleen A. Choi of the Civil Division; Attorney-Advisor Naomi Gilens of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Senior Trial Counsel Amy D. Kossak of the Civil Division.

The fourth Distinguished Service award is presented to Trial Attorneys Christen Gallagher and Alison Zitron of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Bryan Hamaker, Delaney Jester, Paul Rey, Justin Crenshaw, and Timothy Callinan; Assistant Deputy Chief William Hall and Deputy Chief James Silver of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chauncey Bratt for the Middle District of Florida and Jonathan Keim and Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI IT Specialist Angel V. Nanov; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Ryan J. Leszczynski; and Cyber Operations International Liaison Louisa Becker of the Criminal Division.

The fifth Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Chief Elizabeth E. McDonald of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section; Trial Attorneys Lindsey M. Weinstock, Hans Justin Park, James V. Fletcher, Lauren M. Latterell Powell, Jillian R. Lenson, Amanda B. Pearlstein, Janelle J. Geddes, Nonny Onyekweli, Beth Esposito, and Nicole Kovite Zeitler of the Civil Rights Division; Program Specialist Sara Olsen of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida; Litigation Support Specialist Justin Fields-Gray of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Specialist Krysten Diaz-Silveira of the Civil Rights Division.

The sixth Distinguished Service award is presented to Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McDonald and Ian Hanna for the Western District of Texas; Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Acosta for the Western District of Texas; Trial Attorneys Timothy Visser and Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Michael Warbel of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Victim Witness Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez for the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agents Eddie Dominguez, Christina Papp, and America Guevara; FBI Victim Specialists Jennifer Romero, and Kelly Murphy; ATF Special Agent Nate Anderson; and FBI Task Force Officer Brandon Speed.

The seventh Distinguished Service award is presented to DEA Group Supervisors Eric Jolley and Elvis Hugee and DEA Special Agents Brent Ramos, Peter Kinyoun, Rochelle Cup-Choy, Alexander Pearlstone, Audrey Alaniz, Michael Sier, and Eric Kischer.

The eighth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Senior Attorney Gabriel M. Allen of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Katherine A. Abend of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Assistant Section Chief Lori B. Jonas of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Enforcement Section; Community Outreach Specialist Brenda J. Horner of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Cynthia M. Ferguson Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Office of Environmental Justice; Chief Angela Givens Williams for the Southern District of Mississippi’s Civil Division; Paralegal Specialist Minnie V. Becton of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Senior Counsels Karl J. Fingerhood and Angela Mo of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Dease Paige for the Southern District of Mississippi; and Lead Conciliation Specialist for Region IV Walter L. Atkinson of the Community Relations Services.

The ninth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy, Philip Pilmar, and Adam Amir for the Eastern District of New York; Deputy Chief Erin Reid for the Eastern District of New York’s Civil Rights Section; Chief Ryan Harris of the Eastern District of New York’s Public Integrity Section; Paralegal Specialists Huda T. Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett for the Eastern District of New York; Special Agent George Dietz for the Eastern District of New York; FBI Special Agent Paul West; DEA Special Agents Jason Franks, James Cain, and John Muglia; and HSI Special Agents Damian Mazzaferro, Jimmy Cepeda, and Scott Vogel.

The 10th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Rakoczy, Jeffrey Nestler, Alexandra “Alex” Hughes, Jocelyn Ballentine, and Troy A Edwards Jr. for the District of Columbia; FBI Special Agents Michael Palian, Sylvia Hilgeman, Joanna Abrams, Byron Cody, Kelsey Harris, John D. “Jack” Moore, Adam K. Pope, and Justin T. Eller; FBI Intelligence Analyst Katherine Riley Prendergast; Paralegal Specialist Amanda Rohde for the District of Columbia; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant for the District of Columbia; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Banks.

The 11th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason B.A. McCullough and Erik M. Kenerson for the District of Columbia and Nadia Moore for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Conor Mulroe of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Nicholas Hanak, Kathryn Camiliere, Anthony J. “A.J.” Needler, Peter R. Dubrowski, Nicole Miller, and Brandon Camiliere; FBI Tactical Specialist Rebecca Corazzi; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brian M. Lizana; and FBI Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Jennifer Kathryn Cain.

The 12th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents David B. Bannan, Steven M. Dixon, Melissa M. Fair, Deana M. Jones, Ashley T. Kakareka, Brian Sharrow, and Jason R. Maslow; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Tawnya Delarosa; FBI Intelligence Analysts Kris Hemme and Stacy Hamilton; FBI Legal Assistant Thomas Donnelly; FBI Task Force Officer Andrew Maurer; Chief Cherie Krigsman for Middle District of Florida’s National Security Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida.

The 13th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents Ryan Boron, Nicholas Milan, and Thomas H. Lipp; Special Agent Christopher O’Neill of the Department of Commerce; FBI Supervisory Special Agents Calvin R. Davis and Steven Jefferson; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Alexander J. Kornberger and Kathryn McCool; FBI Forensics Accountant Jordanna A. Lubelli; FBI Assistant Legal Attache Jonathan R. Schmidt, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division; Justice Department Attache Josh Cavinato of the Office of International Affairs.

The 14th Distinguished Service Award is presented to OIG Special Agent Lyeson T. Daniel; OIG Assistant Special Agents in Charge Dennis E. Matulewicz Jr., Ryan T. Geach and H. Jeremy Horne; OIG Deputy Assistant Inspector General Sandra D. Barnes; and Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Erin Aslan.

The 15th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler; Appellate Trial Attorneys Amber B. Blaha and Mary Gabrielle Sprague of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant to the Solicitor General Frederick Liu; Chief S. Craig Alexander of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Indian Resources Section; Assistant Appellate Section Chiefs William B. Lazarus and Rachel E. Heron of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Christine W. Ennis of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gina L. Allery of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Tracy Toulou of the Office of Tribal Justice; and Deputy Director JoAnn L. Kintz of the Office of Tribal Justice.

The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism is designed to recognize an extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty. One Exceptional Heroism Award is presented to ATF Special Agent Adam R. Daniels.

The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity is established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor, and dean and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department. In 2023, one Edward H. Levi Award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General George Z. Toscas of the National Security Division.

The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2023.

The first Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to ATF Senior Counsel to the Director Joseph J. Allen.

The second Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Section Chief Steven H. Rosenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section.

The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law Enforcement was established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General William French Smith for his establishment of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees (LECCs), and his outstanding efforts in promoting law enforcement cooperation and coordination throughout the nation. It is designed to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who, through their participation in cooperative interagency efforts, have made significant contributions to law enforcement endeavors and objectives. This award is presented to DEA Task force Officer Jason Pearce-Best.

The Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service is the top public service award granted by the Department and is designed to recognize the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of its missions and objectives. This award is presented to District Attorney Summer Stephan for the County of San Diego California.

The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is designed to recognize extraordinary efforts to demonstrate the Department's commitment to fight crime in Indian Country.

The first Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Victim Assistant Specialists Brandi Duvall, Taelyn Langford, and Karriem Harris for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

The second Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Supervisory Grants Management Specialists Anne Hamilton and LeBretia White of the Office of Justice Programs; Principal Deputy Director Katherine Darke Schmitt of the Office of Justice Programs; and Grant Management Specialists Jessica Andrew, Mary Atlas-Terry, Yolanda Curtis Gibson, Dawn Hill, Tanya Miller, Ramesa Pitts, Alexis Polen, Barbara L. Robertson, Carmen Santiago Roberts, Lori Gardner, Jenny Semanta Stancell, and Kimberly R. Woodard of the Office of Justice Programs.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly improved the operations or productivity of the Department or have reduced costs. This award is presented to Director Christian C. Alvarez of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Deputy Director Matthew J. Roper of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Associate Directors Jeffrey D. Pullen and Nathaniel H. Wheeler of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Assistant Directors Marc Berlove and Vu C. Truong of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Finance Management Specialists Dara L. Sabanosh and Catherine Green-Lee of the Justice Management Division; Systems Accountant Jocelyn M. Harris of the Justice Management Division; Supervisory IT Specialist Leon Braddell of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialists Giles T. Welles, Vincent B. Anderson, and Reena J. Shah of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialist Jerome K. Milligan of the Justice Management Division.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve the operations or productivity of the Department, reduce or avoid costs, or solve problems. Two Awards for Excellence in Information Technology are presented this year.

The first Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director Edward Stely in the ATF’s Office of Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Special Agent Cassandra Mullins; ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard; ATF Intelligence Research Specialist Stacie Alvey of the Louisville Field Division; ATF Acting Branch Chief Carl A. O’Day of the Application Development Branch; and Colonel Philip Burnette Jr. and Lieutenant Colonel Larry Newton of the Kentucky State Police.

The second Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to DEA Chief Information Officer Nick Ward; Senior Counsel Leonard Bailey of the Criminal Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Michael Bettine; Attorney Advisor Gabriel Slater of the National Security Division; Deputy Cyber Chief Sean Newell of the National Security Division; and Chief Information Security Officer Vu Nguyen of the Justice Management Division; Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Yasuda of the Justice Management Division; and Acting Assistant Director Larry Tun of the Justice Management Division’s Office of the Chief Information Officer.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security is designed to recognize a special act or service by a Department employee who has greatly contributed to protecting U.S. national security. The 2023 award is presented to FBI Computer Scientist Michael R. Berger; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Katherine Miles; FBI Intelligence Analyst Laci Falk; FBI Special Agents Chad R. Loewenstine, Jason Moore, Jonathan R. Perlstein, Martin A. Quintana, Justin H. Rowland and Taylor M. Forry; FBI Intelligence Analysts Adam E. Foster and Alec T. Hass Cyber Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Richardson for the District of New York.

The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is designed to recognize significant contributions to the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Director Richard Toscano of the Justice Management Division’s Equal Employment Opportunity Staff; Special Assistant to the Executive Officer Elizabeth D. Preston of the Tax Division’s Office of Management and Administration; and Assistant Section Chief Michelle O. Rindone of the Antitrust Division’s International Section.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys. The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Paralegal Specialist Anna Rogers of the Criminal.

The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Legal Assistant Debra L. Nash for the Northern District of Iowa.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. There are two Excellence in Administrative Support Awards this year.

The first Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented to Lead Management Analyst Catherine M. Murray of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.

The second Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented posthumously to IT Specialist Hector Radhames Gonzalez for the District of Massachusetts.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support – Non-Legal Secretarial is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements. This award is presented to Psychology Secretary Christa A. Butler of Federal Correctional Institution – Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.

The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is designed to recognize a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct.

The first Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Peter Ko for the Southern District of California.

The second Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant Chief Jeremy Sanders of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Victim-Witness Attorney Coordinator Brian Strang of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorney Gwendolyn Stamper of the Criminal Division; Senior Counsels Lauren Britsch Slater, Alissa Kempler, and Daniel Richenthal of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorneys Sonja Lauren Kupersmith and Anne Pings of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Alexandra Gelber of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section; Child Victim Witness Program Administrator Nicole Borello of Criminal Division; Attorney Advisor Molly Cusson of the Criminal Division; Appellate Attorney Sonja Ralston of the Criminal Division; and Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section.

The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Administration is designated to recognize exceptional dedication to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. A Recipient’s actions through participation in the processes of FOIA administration should foster a spirit of openness in government and dedicated service to FOIA requesters. This award presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah S. Normand for the Southern District of New York.

The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention is designed to recognize those who have been involved with the prevention, investigation and prosecution of fraud and other white-collar crimes. This award is presented to Trial Attorneys James F. Bresnahan II, Lauren A. Darwit, Richard G. Rose, Harris J. Phillips, and Gregory E. Van Hoey of the Tax Division.

The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to building collaborations that draw upon the skills and resources of a range of stakeholders within a community – including state and local community leaders, law enforcement, service providers, as well as local residents and representatives of the business community – in addressing public safety, crime prevention and control, community justice and other community-building and revitalization issues. This award is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kalon P. Fancher; FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Ryan C. Summers; FBI Intelligence Analyst Donald L. Metzmeier; FBI Operational Support Technician Amelia M. Herrera; FBI Liaison Specialist John Bush; FBI Management and Program Analyst Russell J. Myers II; FBI Intelligence Analyst Nicolette G. Rose; FBI Native American Affairs Coordinator Dawn Begay of the City of Albuquerque; Task Force Chair Lynn Trujillo of the Department of Interior; Public Safety Answering Point Supervisor Reycita Billie of the Albuquerque Division of Public Safety; Special Agent in Charge Clarence Gibson of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Assistant General Counsel Stephanie Salazar of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Acting Commander Gerald Bartlett of the Albuquerque Police Department; Staff Lead Melody Delmar of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department; Task Force Officer Darlene Gomez of the Albuquerque Law Offices of Darlene Gomez LLC.

The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Federal Wage Grade System Employee is designed to recognize extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics and skilled craft workers. The award is presented to Electrical Worker Foreman Charles D. Treadway II of the Federal Detention Center SeaTac.

The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee is designed to recognize exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of service with the Department and federal government. This award is presented to Trial Attorney Nathan J. Bu of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Litigation Section.

The John Marshall Award, named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, recognizes outstanding professional achievement by attorneys of the Justice Department.

The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Leach, Kelly I. Volkar, John C. Bostic, and Jeffrey D. Nedrow for the Northern District of California.

The second John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M. Yusi John, F. Butler, and E. Rebecca Gantt for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Senior Trial Counsel John Adam Bain of the Civil Division.

The fourth John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Co-Chiefs David J. Kennedy and Ellen Blain for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; Deputy Chief Christine S. Poscablo for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Lillywhite for the Southern District of New York.

The fifth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Attorneys Paul Cirino and Leslie M. Hill of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Lucy E. Brown and David M. Mitchell of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; and Assistant Section Chief Martha C. Mann of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Defense Section.

The sixth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Trial Attorney Leigh P. Rendé of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

The seventh John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida.

The eighth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Laura Eddleman Heim of the Office of Legal Counsel; Attorney-Adviser Ryan N. Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; Director Mark R. Freeman of the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff; and Assistant Director Joshua M. Salzman Civil Division’s Appellate Staff.

The ninth John Marshall Award for Handling Legislation is presented to Special Master Mary Patrice Brown of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recover Section; Attorney Advisors Barbara Gilmore, Regan Kruse, Jane Lee, Anish Mather, and Jacqueline Feil of the Criminal Division; Senior Legal Counsel James Curt Bohling of the Criminal Division; Chief Sarah B. Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; Chief Jennifer Bickford of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit; and Deputy Chief Matthew Colon of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit.

The 10th John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Chief Brent S. Wible of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Principal Deputy Chief Margaret A. Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Deputy Director Michael Khoo of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Attorney Advisor Janice Nsor of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Christina Calce of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Director Andrew C. Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture; Associate Deputy Attorney General L. Rush Atkinson of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thane Rehn, Jessica Greenwood, and Vladislav Vainberg for the Southern District of New York; and Deputy Director David Lim National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The 11th John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant Branch Director Carlotta P. Wells of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch and Senior Trial Counsel Lisa A. Olson Civil Division.

The 12th John Marshall Award for Interagency Cooperation is presented to Senior Litigation Counsel John J. W. Inkeles of the Civil Division; Trial Attorney Mack J. Swan of the Civil Division; Senior Attorney Kim Kucik of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office (ICE); ICE Deputy Chief Counsel Kimberlee Krawchuk; ICE Assistant Chief Counsel Katerina Alexopolous; ICE Associate Legal Advisor Michael McVicker; ICE Special Agent Thomas Connors; and ICE Historian William Tomljanovich.