Fellow of the Year

About The Awards Committee:

The task of the AAML awards committee is to recognize fellows who best personify the national motto "To encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of matrimonial law to the end that the welfare of the family and society be preserved." These awards publicly recognize those fellows who have made extraordinary contributions to the community, outside of their AAML participation, to charitable events, charitable organizations or to the enhancement of the legal profession.

Honored Fellows:

2012: Lorie Nachlis

2011: Ron Granberg

2010: Bob Blevans; Richard Barry

2009: Sherry Cassedy; Shannon Minter and Teresa Stewart

2008: Margaret Anderson - Christopher Emley - Ann Fallon - Diana Richmond

2007: Suzie Thorn

2006: John McCall

Margaret Anderson: Margaret "Peg" Anderson is a true dynamo in all areas of her life, personal and professional. She is one of the founders of the Family Law Section of the Sonoma County Bar Association. Peg is the former chair of the State Bar Family Law Section Executive Committee ("FLEXCOM"), and a former president of the Northern California chapter of AAML, now serving as its delegate to the National Organization. Peg is the chair of the Family Law Advisory Commission of the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, which writes and grades the specialist exam, approves courses to grant Family Law Specialist credits, and certifies/recertifies specialists. Always a champion for reformation and change, she has been one of the prominent leaders in the emerging field of Collaborative Practice, having a strong voice in the building and promoting of CL. She worked with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Public Education Committee, shaping the look and feel of the collaborative movement. She was the first chair of the Collaborative Committee for AAML National. She is a founder and is currently director of the Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire, and a founder of Collaborative Practice California, the umbrella organization for Collaborative practice organizations in the state. Peg is a truly amazing woman who rises to every challenge - whether it is learning Gaelic or her complete victory over a life-threatening brain aneuryism. We are proud to name her an honored fellow for 2008. Back to top

Christopher Emley - In October of 2007, Chris Emley received the exclusive "Champion of Justice" award from the Bar Association of San Francisco and its Volunteer Legal Services Program for his lifelong service to children and families and to delivering legal services to the poor. Chris has chaired the VLSP program advisory board for 28 years. He was at one time president of Legal Services for Children. He has been chairman of the board of legal assistants to the elderly, and helped to start the Child Abuse Council of San Francisco. Chris has at least 5 or 6 active pro bono cases at all times in his case load; he has handled close to 200 pro bono cases over the course of his career. Chris is also a talented and dedicated mentor, having ben a "Big Brother" to a disadvantaged youth in San Francisco, and also mentoring younger lawyers who are willing to take pro bono cases. Chris brings honor to the chapter, and the chapter reciprocates gladly. Back to top

Ann Fallon - Ann Fallon is a nationally recognized specialist in the pension benefits aspects of family law. In the late 1980s, Ann started the national pension benefits group, known as the Quadrones.  The Quadrones, now 40 members strong, consiss of ERISA attorneys, FL attorneys, and actuaries. Ann has been a frequent lecturer and speaker on pension issues, has served on numerous CA State Bar committees, and in 2007 received a Spirit of CEB Award by the Continuing Education of the Bar. Ann co-authored the revision to FC Section 2337 this past year which provides more extensive economic protection methods to the court between a marital dissolution judgment and a subsequent property settlement. We are very proud to present a 2008 Honored Fellow award to Ann Fallon. Back to top

Diana Richmond - In December of 2007, Diana Richmond was inducted into the California Association of Certified Family Law Specialists Hall of Fame for her outstanding service to the practice of Family Law. Diana's contributions are legnedary: as writer, lecturer, mentor, lawmaker, mover, shaker and lawchanger. Her thoughtful, thorough and well-written amicus brief on behalf of same-sex marriage helped tip the scale in what will prove to be one of the landmark California Supreme Court decisions of this century. She is editorial consultant to the Matthew Bender California Family Law Practice and Procedure, 2d and to California Family Law Monthly. She writes bi-monthly commentaries for the California Family Law Monthly. She was consulting editor for California Continuing Education of the Bar, Marital Termination Settlements. She was named the first Judith McKelvey Award recipient for Outstanding Alumna from her alma mater Golden Gate University Law School, and received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the university in 1990. Diana, we salute you. Back to top