Next week, the RNLA will present former FEC Chairman and current member of the RNLA Board of Governors Lee Goodman with the 2019 Republican Lawyer of the Year award. Tickets are still available for the reception in his honor on Wednesday, November 13.
RNLA leaders commended Mr. Goodman on receiving the award:
RNLA President David Warrington said of this year’s honoree:
“Lee is a great lawyer dedicated to defending the First Amendment and the rights of all Americans to participate fully and freely in the democratic process of our Republic. Lee led the fight to defend those rights during his tenure as a commissioner and chairman on the Federal Election Commission. He continues to lead this fight as a lawyer in private practice through the clients and cases he takes, writing thought-provoking commentary, and as a public spokesman for the First Amendment. Lee is also a mentor freely giving his time, advice, and encouragement to numerous lawyers. Many lawyers serving at very high levels in this administration were mentored by Lee and continue to seek his advice and guidance. I am proud to call Lee a colleague and even more proud to call him my friend. I can think of no one who is more deserving of the honor of being the Republican National Lawyers Association’s Lawyer of the Year.”
RNLA Chair Manny Iglesias agreed:
“For decades, Lee Goodman has served as one of the nation’s leading champions of liberty and justice. He is a strong defender of our First Amendment rights and is unwavering in his commitment to protect American’s sacred freedoms against constant threats by the left. Lee’s work for the FEC and the Republican Party continues to inspire lawyers from across the country and the RNLA is proud to honor him this year.”
RNLA Executive Director Michael Thielen stated:
“In addition to being a champion of free speech for all, Lee has also been a leader in Republican Party politics. He helped make the Virginia Republican Party a dominant force in politics years ago and helped make RNLA’s Virginia Chapter its largest. He has done literally everything from working with the smallest party units to resolve internal disputes to advising leaders at the highest levels on legislation. Lee is the embodiment of what a Republican Lawyer of the Year should be.”
The Republican Lawyer of the Year Award has been presented annually since 2004 in recognition of outstanding professional accomplishments and years of tireless dedication in service to the Republican Party. Winners in the past several years were Harmeet Dhillon (2018), Larry Levy (2017), John Ryder (2016), Bobby R. Burchfield (2015), and E. Mark Braden (2014).