Nominate a Distinguished Prosecutor

Each year, the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) recognizes prosecutors who have distinguished themselves among their peers as they seek justice, hold offenders accountable, and protect the rights of victims. The Distinguished Prosecutor Award will be awarded to a chief prosecutor, assistant prosecutor, an aspiring woman prosecutor, and an emerging leader each year. Nominations are accepted year-round, but nominations for 2026 must be submitted by 11:59 pm, Thursday, January 15th, 2026. NDAA membership is required for award consideration and nominations are encouraged from all NDAA members.

View Past NDAA Award Recipients

Please join us for NDAA’s 2025 Summer Summit in Kansas City, MO where we will honor the 2025 award recipients.

Eligibility for Each Award:

Jackie Lacey Award: Any woman prosecutor at the state or local level with up to five years of experience or any aspiring woman prosecutor completing law school who is committed to fighting for victims’ rights, seeking justice and safety for the community, and creating a diverse and inclusive atmosphere for all. CLICK HERE for more information about this award.

Chief Prosecutor: Any elected or appointed prosecutor at the state or local level.

Assistant Prosecutor: Any prosecutor at the state or local level other than the chief prosecutor.

Emerging Leader: Any prosecutor at the state or local level with up to five years of experience.

Criteria

• Length of service as a prosecutor
• Reputation within the legal community
• Service to fellow prosecutors and to the community they serve
• Membership in and service to NDAA

Nomination Materials and Procedure

• An online nomination form.
• A statement of nomination, not to exceed 500 words, explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award detailing:
  • Qualities embodied by this individual that highlight his or her commitment to resiliency, integrity, leadership, and service to the community.
  • Examples of times in which the nominee has embodied the considerations listed above.
• An individual may nominate more than one prosecutor in the same category or in different categories.
• NDAA will notify individuals of their nomination.

Selection Process

Candidates are nominated by the NDAA membership at large. The NDAA Awards Committee will review nominations and select the finalists for approval by the NDAA Board of Directors. Award recipients will be notified by March 31.