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 exemplified the best attributes of an attorney, ALFA International colleague and friend. Each year when the 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.
Since 2009, the ALFA International Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award has been presented at the Annual Business Meeting to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the association. In addition, the ALFA International Firm of the Year Award is also presented to the firm that has made an incredible impact on the network over the year. The first recipient of the Attorney of the Year Award and its namesake, Nathan Fishbach, a former member of the ALFA International Board of Directors and the Marketing Committee, through the ALFA International Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award. Nathan Fishbach exemplified the best attributes of an attorney, ALFA International colleague and friend. Each year when the 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 2023 recipient, Tamara Nelson, continues Nathan’s legacy by exemplifying the ideals of active involvement and friendship. Tamara, whose practice focuses on general liability with an emphasis on complex torts, labor and employment, professional negligence and commercial litigation, is well deserving of this year’s honor. In late October, Tamara concluded her term on ALFAI’s Board of Directors as its Treasurer. She also played a pivotal role as the Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee and spearheaded the creation of an equitable dues structure as Chair of the Dues Committee. Additionally, Tamara served as Chair Emeritus of the Labor & Employment Practice Group and as a Member of the North American Membership Committee. Furthermore, she shared her thought leadership as a speaker at ALFAI’s International Client Seminar, Hospitality & Retail Seminar and Annual Business Meeting. As an organization, ALFAI would not be what it is today without dedicated attorneys like Nathan and Tamara.
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 2023 law firm recipient is Tiefenbacher, one of Germany’s premier independent mid-sized law firms. Tiefenbacher has been a vital part of ALFAI since joining the network in 2003. Since then, the firm’s attorneys have been actively involved, currently serving on six different ALFAI Practice Group Steering Committees, including Construction, Corporate Transactions, Future Leaders, Gig Economy, Labor & Employment and Women’s Initiative. Gero Schneider and Christin Krämer, distinguished attorneys from Tiefenbacher, have demonstrated exceptional leadership within ALFAI this past year. Gero is currently serving as a Member of ALFAI’s Dues, International Membership, Legal World Evolution and Marketing Committees. Meanwhile, Christin just completed her tenure as Chair of the Future Leaders Practice Group in October and is presently serving as the Marketing Chair of the Women’s Initiative Practice Group. Both Gero and Christin also currently act as ALFAI Advocates to provide guidance and support to new ALFAI member firms, ensuring new firms seamlessly integrate into the network during the critical first 12-18 months. Furthermore, Tiefenbacher attorneys contribute thought leadership through written publications and speaking engagements at various ALFAI events, including the 2023 International Client Seminar, Labor & Employment Seminar and the Managing Partner Forum. ALFAI congratulates Tiefenbacher and looks forward to the firm’s continued success in ALFAI.
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