Outstanding Individual Volunteer of the Year Award Winners
Nancy Johnson
American Lawyers Alliance
2025 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Nancy Johnson is a longtime participant in Law Related activities. Her involvement as a Director for the American Lawyers Alliance in August 2024. Nancy was also involved int the Michigan Lawyers Alliance as a member from 1990's to its dissolution in Mid -20-teens. At that time Nancy was the recording Secretary for two terms through the dissolution process. In addition, Nancy has been a member of the Kalamazoo Lawyers Alliance from the mid-1990's to the present. She has been an outstanding Treasurer and still is. She also has been the Recording Secretary. She has chaired the Reception Committee which provides and coordinates the receptions for the Kalamazoo County Bar Association. This included memorial receptions, and the swearing in of new attorneys. Nancy had also been involved with the Christmas party committee for the Juvenile residence at the Juvenile Home. And finally, she has also served on the Foundation Board as an interim delegate. When we reestablished the student library at the Audrey Grey Library at the Juvenile Home, Nancy organized the books, eliminated torn or out of date books and shelved and organized the new books. Nancy works tirelessly in whatever activity she participates. She is always there and is very reliable. Plus, much, much more to come…
A Little Bit More About Nancy...
Raised on a farm starting in the mid-1950s in SW Michigan where my parents still reside. Ferris State College for business and office administration and took an interim job with an attorney in Kalamazoo that blossomed into a 25-year career including adding a Paralegal Certificate and becoming a Probate Estate Administration specialist. When my husband took a job in 1993 that required many more hours per week, I eventually quit working outside the home to focus on the home front and community activities.
Married for 37 years to Hon. J. Richardson “Rick” Johnson, now retired from 21 years as Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge (felonies and larger civil cases). First 24 years of his career, he was a civil trial lawyer representing insurance companies, railroads, and defending professionals in malpractice cases. Also specialized in non-profit, healthcare and environmental law. Our children include Rick’s son Joseph Richardson Johnson IV (retired career US Army, current IT with Veterans Administration) his wife and four daughters plus three grandchildren, Rick’s daughter Lisa Johnson Osiecki (communications/marketing specialist and homemaker), her husband and two sons, our son Samuel Johnson (composer, teacher and audio-engineer at samnjohnsonmusic.com).
Currently volunteering and chairing committees in my congregational church, charter member of the local Legal Support Professionals organization & Kalamazoo Lawyers Alliance. My husband and I are in a bicycle riding group, a film group and a walking group. We enjoy travel including Europe, exploring the U.S., Michigan and U.S. historical sites. Enjoy the church book group and the Aging with Attitude group. I am blessed to be able to spend time with my parents and brother, our children, grandchildren and even two great granddaughters as well as many wonderful friends and neighbors.
What Folks are Saying About Nancy!
"Nancy is always upbeat and bring such joy! She is energetic and very good at organizing people for the job to be done “
Unknown
" I am delighted to hear that Nancy Johnson has been chosen Volunteer of the Year. I have been a co-chair of the Kalamazoo County Bar Memorial Committee for several years and, in that capacity, it has been my pleasure to work with Nancy on the Memorial Events where we honor attorneys who have passed on. Not only does she do a great job in coordinating the snacks provided during the social time after the event, but she is always so pleasant to deal with. She does your organization proud."
Thomas Richardson
"I got to know Nancy while we both worked on the Michigan Lawyers Alliance Board. She was a a wonderful Recording Secretary and did that until MLA disbanded. She is delightful and hard-working.
"As you can read, she has done so much to keep Kalamazoo Lawyers Alliance relevant. Nancy nominated Alice Gordon for the 2019 ALA Volunteer of the Year Award and referred to Alice affectionately as the "energizer bunny" of the Kalamazoo Lawyers Alliance. Well, now we can affectionately refer to Nancy as the "energizer bunny" of Kalamazoo Lawyera Alliance, too. You can read all the things that she did and still does for KLA. If other local organizations had more like Nancy Johnson they would be be doing as well as KLA!
"I nominated Nancy for ALA Director and am so happy that she was chosen and that she accepted this position. We can use some more "energizer bunnies" in ALA. "
Jeanne Skilton
"Working behind the scenes for years, Nancy and her cohorts at the Kalamazoo Lawyers Alliance have put their stamp on the KCBA’s new attorney admission programs, and especially the memorial ceremonies we conduct semi-annually to honor lawyers who have passed away in the preceding months. Nancy has helped the KCBA be there for lawyers at the beginning and the end of their legal careers in our community.
""Nancy is organized and responsive, of course, but also respectful of tradition. The refreshments that she and her colleagues regularly provide at the end of each ceremony provide not simply a social focal point following the formal events, but a nod to an earlier era. Homemade punch and pastries in the courthouse anterooms may seem quaint and outdated to outside observers, but in an important way they keep us linked to a time when the courthouse was the center of a broader legal community, not simply a parade ground for plaintiffs and perpetrators and prosecutors and their stories of human suffering. Nancy’s volunteer work provides a necessary reminder about the dignity of our profession and the role it plays in resolving our disputes.
"The human touch that the Kalamazoo Lawyers Alliance brings to the KCBA does not just happen, and we clearly see Nancy’s hand at work in preserving the best traditions of our bar. I applaud her selection as Volunteer of the Year. "
Scott W. Dales
Chief Judge
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Michigan
2024
Janis Lamberth
Washington, DC
Janis is a member of the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary. She has served in many positions during her time as a member and was President 1990-1991. She has served on many committees including the Membership Committee, Annual U.S. Supreme Court Justices’ Spouses Luncheon, Law Day and other activities. She has hosted the Holiday Happening at her home several times. She has even convinced her husband, The Honorable Royce Lamberth, to dress as Santa Claus, which was a huge hit with the attendees. She has been an active participant in almost all the events that NCLA has sponsored.
Her greatest, and certainly most important role has been her contribution as Treasurer of the organization for the past 25 years! NCLA has been most fortunate to have someone with integrity and ability to handle the position of treasurer. She has done so with grace and kindness even when it came to reminding members of forgotten dues or handling the paying of bills. She is truly one of a kind and NCLA has been very fortunate to have her as a member of the Board.
Shout-outs for Janis!
Anne Santorelli: Just to say that I am thrilled that Janis is receiving this award, but sad she will not be there to receive it. She has been all these years the backbone of NCLA in her capacity as Treasurer, and hopefully will continue in the roll for many years to come. She has also kept NCLA true to its purpose and kept it on track. It has also been great fun over the pandemic years and beyond to celebrate our Holiday Happening with her and Santa Royce!!
Hopefully her health problems will be solved quickly, and she can celebrate this award with her NCLA friends.
Pat Gill: Janis was a dedicated member of Law Wives. Willing to help in every way. (Especially to remind me to pay my dues) 😇. Janis is a true friend to all she meets. Thank You Janis.
Marilyn Petry and Evelyn Albright:
Congratulations to Janis Lamberth for being selected ALA’s Volunteer of the Year. As long-time treasurer of the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary (NCLA), we could always rely on Janis’ diligence and expertise. Working with Janis is a pleasure. This special recognition is well deserved.
Diane Harmon: Janis Lamberth invited me to join the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary at a Judicial Conference in Hershey PA with her husband Royce Lamberth, Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals. She was President of NCLA 1990-1991. Under her tutelage, I later served as President 2006-2007, then again in 2012-2013.
Janis’s stalwart approach to dealing with colleagues and friends and keeping NCLA’s finances in excellent condition as she served as the Treasurer of NCLA for over 25 years is remarkable.

Her care and concern for NCLA as it transitions to a social organization is admirable.
Janis and I have been friends for 2 decades, which I cherish.
2023
Kathy Poetting
Des Moines, IA
Kudos to Kathy!
Darlene Brinkman: Kathy Poetting is our LAW of Polk County, Inc., Queen of Getting Things Done. She is a superlative planner of fundraising projects, coordinator of service projects and outstanding cheerleader for our organization. She generously contributes time, energy and money to support LAW’s philanthropic projects for women and children and LAW’s fund that awards scholarships to non-traditional law students who demonstrate a commitment to public service. Her fundraising accomplishments include planning and working at bazaars, department store Christmas gift wrapping, large garage sale, spring plant sale, baking and decorating cakes for a silent auction, making hundreds of decorated cupcakes and individually packaging them for sale at a community charity event, and conducting a project of painting crocks by LAW members for sale at a bazaar. Her activities with the organization have touched many lives. She organized, bought food and with LAW members made meals for 60 people living at the Ronald McDonald House during their children’s hospital stays about every six weeks for two years; bought craft materials and supplies for a Christmas cookie decorating party with LAW members and students with high needs behavior problems living at a congregate residence; assembled workshop packets for use by conflict resolution counselors in sessions with children; organized visits by LAW members to a nonprofit that provides services for domestic abuse prevention, teen programs, and early childhood development for a special time of reading and at Christmas she wrapped gifts from LAW members for the children; and organized a huge LAW Easter egg hunt for a group of children in residential care. The members of LAW of Polk County, Inc. love and admire Kathy for her inspiring leadership. We look forward to recognition of her outstanding volunteer efforts by American Lawyers Alliance.
"What immediately came to mind when thinking about Kathy’s contributions to LAW was the song from the musical Oklahoma, “I Can’t Say No” (she is someone who CAN’T say no!). She is a woman with many, many talents, endless energy and is always ready, willing, and very able to help in any way she can."
"None of us need wonder why Kathy was chosen: she has been a backbone of LAW for decades--doing every hard job there has been to do--with grace, punctuality, organization and humility. Thank you, Kathy, for your years of service and your friendship, and congratulations on a much deserved award!"
"I followed Kathy twice as her President-Elect, then became President. She was very persuasive to me about taking on the role, saying “we all help each other.” She was right----and she exemplified the person who helped out everyone else."
2022
Evelyn Albright
McLean, VA
American Lawyers Alliance
In the 1970’s I joined the organization that is now known as the American Lawyers Alliance and served as Recording Secretary.
I was a Director 2015-2017 and 2018-2020 and 2nd Vice President 2017-2018. I have served as Co-Chair of the ALA Auxiliary Support Program from 2016-Present. It is a privilege to learn about the many civic, community out-reach programs throughout the U.S.A. that our auxiliaries are supporting to bring an understanding and appreciation of the American legal system, the Rule of Law, to students in our country.
National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary (NCLA)
In the 1970’s I participated as a Tour Leader and as Coordinator for NCLA members to give District of Columbia (D.C.) public school students tours of the D.C. Superior Court. The tours included sitting in the courtroom listening to carefully selected cases. I have served as Newsletter Editor and currently continue to serve as Co-Chair of NCLA’s annual Law Day Essay Contest for D.C. 5th/6th grade public school students. The annual Award Ceremony is held at the U.S. Supreme Court. I have been given the honor to serve as NCLA’s Co-President from 2009-2011 and from 2013-Present. This year we launched a new program, the Wellness Program, focusing on Nutrition, Sleep and Stress Management. The first presentation on March 10, 2021 will be on nutrition.
What People Are Saying About Evelyn
From Janet Bullinger: Evelyn Albright has been the mainstay of NCLA for some years now. If it were not for Evelyn and her co-president (some who have taken a less active role in NCLA) there would not be an NCLA. She knows the forward and backwards working of this organization and although she has said she would not participate she has always stepped up and led the organization. I truly mean it when I say that the group would not exist without her. Some of us were involved but there are time constraints and people did their parts but gently left their positions but Evelyn has had a hand in all parts of the organization. She has contacted and guided those persons doing out Annual Luncheon for the Supreme Court Justices Spouses, participated in the Law Day Contest at the U.S. Supreme Court and contacted people to take on positions of responsibility for the good of our group. I sincerely believe that she deserves this award because no one had done more than Evelyn for the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary.
Kitty O’Reilley: Evelyn Albright has been a member of the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary for many years. She became more active after retiring from the government. She has held the position of Co-President for several terms. When NCLA was going through some difficult times, Evelyn stepped up and along with other women, became co-president. She has continued in that role for several terms. Several years ago, she took on the co-chairmanship of the Law Day Essay Contest and has hosted several ALA presidents as her guest at the Kenwood Country Club and during the ceremony at the Supreme Court of the United States.
As co-president, she has planned and organized for NCLA members to attend Holiday Happenings, Spring Flings and other events around the city. She is very organized and gives a lot of her time to the organization.
As far as ALA is concerned, she has co-chaired the Auxiliary Support Awards for several years and has attended many of the ALA mid-year and annual meetings.
Anne Santorelli: Evelyn has been the consummate volunteer. From the moment she joined the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary (NCLA), she involved herself wholeheartedly in anything she was asked to do. Her main focus has been on the Law Day Essay contest and awards ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court for Fifth Graders in the District of Columbia public schools. This is a nine-month a year job.
She has also been co-president and co-commissioner of NCLA for many years,
keeping the organization ticking when it was going through some difficult times. She has been the mainstay for making arrangements for the annual luncheon for the spouses of the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, which is why it is such a beautiful event year after year. In the American Lawyers Alliance (ALA)she has been the mainstay of the Auxiliary Support Awards, and always has the facts and figures on who has received funds, etc. at her finger tips!
She is quiet, knowledgeable and hard working, even through treatment for breast cancer a few years ago. If you ask Evelyn to do something you will know that it willbe done in an efficient, quiet and excellent way. This award is much deserved.
Alice Gordon:
It is truly an honor to celebrate Evelyn Albright as Outstanding Volunteer Award for the American Lawyers Alliance . Evelyn's dedication to her local auxiliary is impressive. As a new member of her alliance in Washington D.C. I have seen first hand how she takes her responsibilities seriously. She gives 100%. She leads quietly,but with thoroughness to details in any program or projects she serves.
As President of her Capital Lawyers Auxiliary I attended her alliance and as a guest Evelyn was a most gracious hostess and marvelous hospitality in providing me comfort and lodging during my stay in Washington DC. It was most memorable and greatly appreciated. When Evelyn, as a member of the American Lawyers Alliance, served on the Grants committee, her dedication shone through. I truly appreciate what our local alliance has been able to do as a result of these grants including helping our juvenile home and their library, or creating opportunities to learn job skills like the Young Chef's program and others.
Finally, Evelyn's adaptability during this Covid 19 epidemic to continue to provide interesting programs for her local alliance through virtual meetings including a Bingo game with winners and her most recent program featuring a nutritionist was remarkable and an example of what can be done.
A Little Q & A with Evelyn...
2020
- Director
- Chairman - Tribute and Memorials
- Held many positions
- Served as president 2010-2012
- President
- Supports the Juvenile Home
- Supports Mock Trial
- Supports the Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Regularly speaks to non-profits to raise money for the Constitution project.
- Served as a liaison between the Kalamazoo Lawyers Alliance and the Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- “Alice works tirelessly on behalf of the alliance and does so with much grace and enthusiasm.”
- “She really exemplifies “Volunteer””.
- Congratulations, Alice Gordon, our Very Deserving Outstanding Individual Volunteer Award winner!
- Lived in Grosse Pointe Farms then moved to Kalamazoo
- Very supportive of the Kalamazoo Central High School Mock Trial team
- Writes grant requests to ALA for many different law related organizations
- Worked very hard helping Kalamazoo receive one of the State Bar’s Michigan’s Legal Milestone Markers
- Junior League of Kalamazoo - Sustainer
- Member -Daughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR)
- Member Garden Club
- Member Ladies Library
- Sings in Church choir
- Created “Bagels and Books” in Kalamazoo Public Schools - a Reading program / community
- B.A. Michigan State University
- M. A. University of Michigan
- Ed. Specialist - University of Michigan
- Additional Graduate Work at Harvard/ Radcliffe
- University of Chicago
- Profession: Reading Specialist
- Who’s Who in American Education
- Who’s Who in American Women
- Who’s Who in America
- Past Pres of PEO ( promoting educational funding for women
- Past member of the Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Board
- Past Board Member of the University of Michigan College of Education
- Exchange student - Japan
2019
- Developed monthly email blasts to create awareness and communication
- Redesigned ALA website to increase functionality, aesthetics, information accessibility, on-line forms for membership, award nominees, online directory, downloadable teachers resources, photo archives
- Created an online Amazon Smile Book List order form
- Updates and posts relevant information on our ALA Facebook page
- Putting the scrapbooks on the website for historical reference
- Created an app for Now You Are 18 to reach a new audience
- Redesigned TLA website to increase functionality, aesthetics, and information accessibility
- Updates and posts relevant information on our TLA Facebook page
- Our “go-to” source for issues of technology
- Created Austin Lawyers Auxiliary website
- Created an online Amazon Smile Book List order form
- Updates and posts relevant information on our ALA Facebook page
- Member, Austin Woman’s Club
- Member, Houston Junior League Sustaining Club
- Founding Member Longhorn Foundation
- Life Member Texas-Exes
- Life Member Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
- “She is bubbly and enthusiastic.”
- “She has a ‘can do’ attitude.”
- “She is a perfect example of a gifted and talented volunteer.”
- “It is energizing to be around her enthusiasm.”
- “She has never refused to assist me in whatever I ask of her”
- “There is no end to her energy and creative talent.”
- “ I would nominate her as Queen of Computers or Ruler of the Cloud.”
- “She is a true ROCK STAR!”
- “Noel is so creative, intelligent, and dynamic! She is a great asset to our organization, and it will be exciting to see what she comes up next
2018
2017
2016
