The Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Award is a prestigious national recognition presented annually to a trial lawyer or team of lawyers who have used exemplary skill and dedication to advance the public interest, protect the environment, or uphold consumer rights through a significant, recent legal victory. This award honors impactful legal work that results in systemic change and holds powerful interests accountable. Submissions for the award can be made through this online nomination form. The deadline for applications is February 27th, 2026.
Trial Lawyer of the Year Award
We celebrated the winners of the 2025 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award for their extraordinary work on the landmark case, Held v. Montana. The landmark, youth-led case became the first of its kind to reach trial in the U.S. when proceedings began on June 12, 2023. The plaintiffs argued that the state’s energy policies, which included a provision preventing agencies from considering greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews, violated their constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment”.
In August 2023, the District Court ruled in favor of the youth plaintiffs, a decision that was upheld by the Montana Supreme Court in December 2024.
Legal Team: Nate Bellinger, Julia Olson, and Mat dos Santos of Our Children’s Trust; Phil Gregory of Gregory Law Group; Barbara Chillcott and Melissa Hornbein of Western Environmental Law Center; and Roger Sullivan of McGarvey Law.
For a look at past Trial Lawyer of the Year Award recipients, click here.