ALFA International Awards
Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award
ALFA International is proud to honor Nathan Fishbach, a former member of the ALFA International Board of Directors and the Marketing Committee, through the annual ALFA International Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award. Nathan Fishbach, the first recipient of the Attorney of the Year Award, exemplified the best attributes of an attorney, ALFA International colleague, and friend. Each year when this award is presented, the network pauses a moment to remember Nathan’s incredible contributions to ALFA International and the legal profession. We are proud to honor him annually with this award.
The 2025 recipient, Jason Goodnight, is a highly respected attorney and a driving force within the ALFAI network. He currently serves as the Chair of the Gig Economy Practice Group and was also the group’s Program Chair for 2025. In addition, he is an active member of several other ALFAI practice groups, including Transportation, Product Liability & Complex Torts, and Oil, Gas & Energy. But Jason’s contributions go beyond his practice groups. He plays a key role on ALFAI’s Marketing Committee and is leading a new business development initiative for the organization. Additionally, he participates in ALFAI’s Managing Partner Forum, where firm leaders gather to share insights to move both their firms and ALFAI forward. As an organization, ALFAI would not be what it is today without dedicated attorneys like Nathan and Jason.
2025 – Jason Goodnight
2024 – Tim Peeples
2023 – Tamara Nelson
2022 – Joel Hlavaty
2021 – Sheila Kerwin
2020 – John Tarpley
2019 – Elaine Moss
2018 – Gero Schneider
2017 – Chris Page
2016 – Melanie Cheairs
2015 – Richard Krieg
2014 – Patrick Michael
2013 – Mark Golman
2012 – Lee MacPhee
2011 – George Fagan
2010 – Laurie Watt
2009 – Nathan Fishbach
The Firm of the Year Award
The 2025 Law Firm of the Year recipient is Taylor, Day, Grimm & Boyd, ALFAI’s member firm in Jacksonville, Florida.
Taylor Day has been a dedicated member of ALFAI since joining the network in 2006. The firm’s attorneys actively participate in many of ALFAI’s practice groups, including Business Litigation, Construction, Future Leaders, Insurance, Product Liability & Complex Torts, Transportation, and Workers’ Compensation.
Additionally, the firm has played a vital role in ALFAI’s leadership for many years. This October, Chris Mueller was elected to the ALFAI Board of Directors. He also completed his term as Chair of the Construction Practice Group this past July and now serves as the group’s Chair Emeritus. John Osgathorpe is currently a member of the ALFAI-wide Marketing Committee and the Finance and Investment Committee, as well as the Chair of the Business Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Managing Partners Forum. Job Fickett is currently serving as the 2026 Program Chair for the Future Leaders Practice Group.
Beyond their leadership roles, the firm excels in its business development efforts within the network.
ALFAI congratulates Taylor Day and looks forward to the firm’s continued success in ALFAI.
2025 – Taylor, Day, Grimm & Boyd
2024 – Lewis Thomason
2023 – Tiefenbacher
2022 – Plunkett Cooney
2021 – Morrison Mahoney LLP
2020 – Lewis Wagner, LLP
2019 – McCandlish Holton
2018 – Frantz Ward LLP
2017 – Leake & Andersson, L.L.P.
2016 – Carter Conboy
2015 – Charles Russell Speechlys
2014 – Young Moore and Henderson P.A.
2013 – Hall & Evans, LLC
2012 – Cowell Clarke and Cornwalls
2011 – Johnson & Bell, Ltd.
2010 – Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP
2009 – Nilan Johnson Lewis PA
Impact Award
During the ALFA International (ALFAI) Annual Business Meeting (ABM) held in Madrid, Spain, on October 9, 2025, Eddy Hayes from Leake Andersson, ALFAI’s member firm in New Orleans and Lafayette, LA, was honored with the FIRST Impact Award. This award recognizes an ALFAI attorney whose specialized knowledge and practice have provided exceptional value to clients during a year marked by complex challenges.
Throughout his career, Eddy has held various leadership positions within the ALFAI network. He recently served as Chair of the ALFAI Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024 and is currently in the role of Chair Emeritus.
Eddy’s global practice in international trade and business, specializing in customs, import/export issues, trade disputes, and complex cross-border matters, has had a significant impact on the network this past year. In response to significant global economic uncertainty and legal challenges arising from recent tariff changes, Eddy conducted a webinar offering strategic insights for businesses on how to navigate tariffs. He also plans to present a follow-up webinar, as this issue continues to evolve rapidly.
In addition to his other roles, Eddy leads an active international public policy practice, advising businesses and governments on trade capacity, economic development, and global agreements. He also serves as the Honorary Consul to Ukraine for the State of Louisiana and is an Adjunct Professor at Tulane University.
In a year of uncertainty, Eddy stepped in to guide clients through the unique challenges of trade disputes and the new tariffs enacted in 2025. His unique expertise has been vital to clients and instrumental in strengthening and broadening ALFAI’s capabilities. ALFAI is proud to present Eddy with the inaugural Impact Award.
2025 – Eddy Hayes
Future Leader of the Year Award
At the ALFA International (ALFAI) Annual Business Meeting held in Madrid, Spain, on October 9, 2025, Molly Humphreys Teas of Higgs Fletcher & Mack, LLP, the ALFAI member firm in San Diego, California, was honored as the network’s FIRST Future Leader of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes a younger attorney’s significant contributions to ALFAI’s ongoing success and future growth.
Molly became an active member of ALFAI in 2022, joining the Future Leaders Practice Group, which serves as an entry point for younger attorneys to develop their professional skills. She later joined the Transportation Practice Group. Her leadership and dedication have been evident through her active involvement in both these groups.
Molly has spoken at the last two Future Leaders Practice Group Seminars. She also currently serves as the group’s Webinar Chair, where she planned the group’s July and November webinars. Additionally, she managed the group’s first client visit during a regularly scheduled Steering Committee call. Molly also moderated a panel at the inaugural Future Leaders Regional Seminar in September and is set to moderate again at the group’s February 2026 Seminar.
Furthermore, Molly attended the 2025 Transportation Practice Group Seminar and will take on a leadership role during a session at the 2026 Seminar. She was also recently appointed as the Regional Seminar Co-Chair and is helping to organize the February 2026 Regional Seminar.
Molly’s achievements have been recognized beyond ALFAI, as she received the “Outstanding New Attorney” award from the San Diego Defense Lawyers in 2024.
ALFAI is proud to recognize Molly as our first Future Leader of the Year and looks forward to seeing the continued impact of her work.
2025 – Molly Humphreys Teas