Source: United States Department of Justice News
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio presented awards to honor exceptional advocacy, support and legal work on behalf of the district’s six million residents in the year 2021.
“Each year, our office recognizes exceptional performance, leadership and effort put forth by employees of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District on behalf of the residents and communities that we serve,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler,” “Whether it’s combating violent crime, protecting taxpayers, assisting with case management or managing the needs of an office of over 200 employees, these award recipients embody the best of public service.”
Details of the award winners are below:
National Association of Former United States Attorneys’ Exceptional Service Award
The National Association of Former United States Attorneys’ award recognizes exceptional service to the United States Attorneys’ Office, the Department of Justice and the United States in its award for Exceptional Service.
Awardee: Carol Skutnik
Excellence in Civil, Criminal, Paralegal and Administrative Support
Awarded for outstanding overall performance for a particular project/case/duty or series of projects/cases/duties in a respective office division.
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Excellence in Civil Support Kendall Miller |
Excellence in Paralegal Support Jennifer Miller |
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Excellence in Criminal Support Judith Toth |
Excellence in Administrative Support Kerri Hesketh |
New Legal Support Award
Awarded to a civil, criminal, or administrative support employee with less than five years of experience who demonstrates outstanding overall performance, a superior commitment to the mission of the Office and displays significant growth in the execution of their duties.
Awardee: Kelsey Sprenger
New AUSA Excellence Award
Awarded to an Assistant U.S. Attorney with less than five years of experience who demonstrates outstanding overall performance, a superior commitment to the mission of the Office and displays significant growth in the execution of their duties.
Awardee: Matthew Simko
The Jane Corrigan Award
Awarded to a supportive staff member who is always professional, ready to help others in the performance of their duties, who expresses a “can-do” attitude, and whose demeanor is always engaging.
Awardee: Antoinette Burrell
Bernard A. Smith Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy
Awarded for exceptional advocacy in an appellate matter. Nominees are considered for their professionalism, the difficulty of the legal arguments briefed or argued, and any other challenging case-related circumstances, regardless of verdict or court opinion.
Awardee: Daniel Ranke
Excellence in Criminal Advocacy
Awarded for exceptional advocacy in a criminal matter. Nominees are considered for their professionalism, the difficulty of the legal arguments briefed or argued, and any other challenging case-related circumstances, regardless of verdict or court opinion.
Awardees: Michael Collyer, Megan Miller, Bryan Bricker, Allison Kretz
Excellence in Civil Advocacy
Awarded for exceptional advocacy in a civil matter. Nominees are considered for their professionalism, the difficulty of the legal arguments briefed or argued, and any other challenging case-related circumstances, regardless of verdict or court opinion.
Awardee: Suzana Koch
AUSA Supervisor of the Year
Awarded to a supervisor who has demonstrated superior professionalism, leadership, and management in the performance of their duties.
Awardee: Steven Paffilas
The Bill Edwards Career Award
Awarded to an Assistant U.S. Attorney with more than 15 years of experience who has demonstrated superior professionalism in the execution of their duties and excellence in leadership and mentorship throughout their career.
Awardee: Guillermo “Bill” Rojas
The Roberta Sladick Career Award
Named after former Northern District of Ohio employee Roberta Sladick and awarded to a support staff employee with more than 15 years of experience who has demonstrated superior professionalism in the execution of the support staff’s duties, and excellence in leadership and mentorship throughout the person’s career.
Awardee: Sarah Perkins
The Craig Tame Award for Excellence in Community Outreach Award
Named in honor of former Northern District of Ohio Law Enforcement Coordinator Craig Tame and awarded to an employee who demonstrates a commitment to community service and making the Northern District of Ohio a better place to live.
Awardee: Michelle Heyer
Employee of the Year – Administrative Support
Awarded for exceptional overall performance, which demonstrates a superior commitment in the execution of the person’s duties in the Administrative Division.
Awardee: SharNette McCully
Employee of the Year – Legal Support:
Awarded to a Legal Support employee for exceptional overall performance, taking into account all the required responsibilities in the performance of the person’s duties, which demonstrates a superior commitment to the interests of justice, and the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office.
Awardee: Jesse Sherman
AUSA of the Year
Awarded to an Assistant United States Attorney for exceptional overall performance, taking into account all the required responsibilities in the performance of the person’s duties, which demonstrates a superior commitment to the interests of justice and the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office.
Awardees: Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Kolansky and Peter Daly
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