The application period for the 2026 Award is now open.
Peter J. Mazza was a past president of the San Diego Chapter of the FBA and a past award recipient of the Robyn J. Spalter Outstanding Achievement Award and the Younger Federal Lawyer Award. Sadly, in 2020, Pete Mazza passed away at the age of 42. At the time of his passing, Pete Mazza was the First Assistant in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, second only to the U.S. Attorney. The Peter J. Mazza Award is presented as a memorial to the outstanding, inspirational, and selfless leadership Pete Mazza demonstrated throughout his life, both professionally and in his community service.
The award is intended to recognize exemplary federal lawyers who have dedicated a significant portion of their career to federal service with high standards of professional achievement and outstanding performance. A charitable contribution made in the name of the recipient reflects the essence of the person in whose honor this award is established.
The award committee shall use the following criteria in selecting the annual recipient:
- A nominee may be qualified by outstanding legal ability and performance as a federal lawyer during the lawyer’s career. Regardless of whether the achievements are of a general or a specific nature, they should have resulted in a significant benefit to the federal government and the legal profession and contributed to the development of public law.
- Continuous general or specific contributions to community, charitable or public service with particular focus on the nominee’s leadership attributes and experience.
- Specific accomplishment(s) for which the nominee is primarily responsible, which serve to enhance, promote and encourage community, charitable and/or public service.
- Specific personal achievements of the nominee that serve to provide inspiration and hope to others.
Eligibility Requirements
Any civilian or military attorney who is or was employed by the U.S. government shall be eligible to receive the award except that:
- No nominee will be considered if, at the time the award is presented, he or she has served with the government as an attorney less than fifteen (15) total years;
- No nominee will be considered for an award if the attorney is eligible for the Younger Federal Lawyer Awards;
- No nominee will be considered for an award if the services constituting the primary basis for his or her nomination were required because of a political consideration; and
- All national officers are ineligible to receive an award.
Membership in the FBA is encouraged but not required.
Award Nomination Letter Requirements
- The first paragraph of the first page must state the following: name, address and Chapter affiliation of the nominee together with the name(s), address(es) and Chapter affiliation(s) of the member(s) or Chapter submitting the nomination. The nomination must include the signature(s) of the member(s) submitting the nomination, or, in the case of nomination by a Chapter, the signature and title of the person authorized by the Board of Directors of the submitting Chapter to submit such nomination.
- The entry should not exceed 1,200 words excluding the cover. The entry must include
- A description of the specific or general accomplishments of the nominee in relation to their career as a federal lawyer; and
- A description of the community service, charitable service, or public service performed by the nominee with particular emphasis on the nominee’s leadership attributes and experience.
If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact awards@fedbar.org.
2026 Award applications are due May 15.
Please fill out the following fields in full and upload all supporting documents.