Washington, D.C. – The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) is pleased to announce that its seventh Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award will be bestowed on Chris Marston during the 22nd National Election Law Seminar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 25-26, 2023.

Washington, D.C. – The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) is pleased to announce that its sixth Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award will be bestowed on Bilenda Harris-Ritter during the 21st National Election Law Seminar in Phoenix, Arizona on August 12-13, 2022.

Today, the RNLA announced that it will give RNC Chief Counsel Justin Riemer the 2021 Robert J. Horn Chairman's Award during the National Election Law Seminar, which will be in Atlanta in August.  Justin expertly led the RNC's legal department through the tumultuous 2020 election season - helping to protect the integrity of elections throughout the country, keep the RNC in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and provide expertise on questions of campaign finance and election administration.  Justin has extensive experience with all aspects of elections and serves as a great asset to the entire Republican Party.

The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) is pleased to announce that its fifth Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award will be bestowed on Justin Riemer during the 20th National Election Law Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 13-14, 2021.

The Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award is an award presented to individuals for nationally distinguished service to the citizens of the United States of America for protecting the honesty and accuracy of elections. It is presented in honor of the late Founding Chairman, who succeeded in significantly advancing the integrity of elections throughout his professional lifetime by founding and promoting the Republican National Lawyers Association.

The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) is pleased to announce that its fourth Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award was bestowed on Harvey Tettlebaum during the 19th National Election Law Seminar in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on July 10-11, 2020.

It is particularly fitting that the leadership of RNLA in 2020 selected Harvey Tettlebaum to win the "Robert Horn Chairman's Award."  Harvey and Bob were law partners.  Although Harvey is a Missouri Republican party leader and lawyer who views Washington warily while Bob was a DC insider comfortable with lobbyists and insiders at cocktail parties, they were close friends.  As Bob passed away this year, in a sense the role of "senior leader" has passed to Harvey.  Below is the official press release.  

RNLA leaders from past and present share their thoughts and memories in advance of RNLA Founding Chair Bob Horn's funeral. 

The services for Robert Jack Horn, who passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2020, will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 3:45pm at Sixth and I Synagogue, 600 I Street NW Washington, DC. 

Please join his family and friends to celebrate his remarkable life and then join the family immediately after for a reception at DBGB at 931 H St., NW, which is a short 5-minute walk from the service.   In lieu of flowers, Bob would be pleased if you would consider donating to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum  or the RNLA's Bob Horn Fund for Law Students.

"Robert Horn was known as a leading light in the Republican legal community for decades. As the Founding Chairman of the RNLA, Bob was a tireless advocate for election integrity and the fight for a conservative judiciary. I also want to recognize Bob for his work on behalf of the RNC over the years, particularly his service as parliamentarian and counsel during several national conventions. We will greatly miss Bob but will remember with fondness his many contributions to the Republican Party.”

-RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel

Today, the RNLA posthumously presented former RNLA Board of Governors member Anne Ware Lewis of Georgia with the Robert J. Horn's Chairman's Award during the National Election Law Seminar in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) has named Anne Ware Lewis the 2019 honoree of the RNLA’s Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award. This recognition, posthumously honoring Lewis, marks her sustaining legacy in Republican circles both in Georgia and nation-wide. She was honored during the RNLA’s National Election Law Seminar in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 2, 2019.

Washington, D.C. — The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) is pleased to announce that its second Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award will be bestowed on Ron Hicks during the 17th National Election Law Seminar in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 3-4, 2018.

"Ron Hicks is an excellent lawyer and good friend. He has worked hard to insure that elections are conducted fairly and freely and that every vote counts. We at RNLA especially appreciate his guidance as our General Counsel and Member of our Board. I am delighted to be able to present him with the Chairman’s Award," said John Ryder, Chair of RNLA.

RNLA Executive Director Michael Thielen agreed: “When we created a ‘task force’ on Election Day Operations (EDO), Ron was the obvious choice to lead the effort. He has spoken across the country on EDO-related issues and is a recognized leader. He has worked diligently for years in Pennsylvania ensuring elections are open, fair, and honest.”

Ron is a civil trial and appellate attorney who represents local, statewide and federal Republican candidates in Pennsylvania. In addition to serving as general counsel for candidates and political committees, Ron handles a variety of election law disputes, including election contests, ballot recounts, nomination objections, and absentee and provisional ballot challenges. Since 2004, Ron participates in and plans EDO, and he regularly trains volunteers on Pennsylvania election processes and procedures.

Ron is Co-General Counsel and a member of the Board of Governors for the Republican National Lawyers Association, and he is a founding board member and former chair of the RNLA’s Pittsburgh Chapter. He is Chair of the RNLA’s task force on EDO. He serves as the Deputy Solicitor for Western Pennsylvania for the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, an elected member of the Republican Committees of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, the County Committee’s Solicitor, and chair of the City Committee’s 3rd Council District.

The Robert J. Horn Chairman’s Award is an award presented to individuals for nationally distinguished service to the citizens of the United States of America for protecting the honesty and accuracy of elections. It is presented in honor of the Founding Chairman, who succeeded in significantly advancing the integrity of elections throughout his or her professional lifetime by founding and promoting the Republican National Lawyers Association.

The RNLA is the national organization of Republican attorneys. The mission of RNLA is to advance professionalism; open, fair, and honest elections; career opportunity; and Republican ideals. For more information, please visit http://www.rnla.org.