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Submit your nominations for the 2026 ARC Awards!

03 Jun 2026
Jeremiah Sierra

Deadline: July 3, 2026

Recognizing excellence in mitigation

Each year, Advancing Real Change, Inc. presents awards to shine a light on the dedication and compassion that our colleagues demonstrate every day.

The Muhammad-White Award

The Muhammad-White Award recognizes and celebrates a mitigation professional’s excellence throughout their career. The recipient of this award will be someone who has raised the standard of mitigation, not only for their clients, but also for the criminal defense community.

The Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes and celebrates a mitigation professional in the early stages of their career. The honoree will be an individual who is laying the groundwork for excellence in their direct casework, and has the potential to move the field forward through dedication to high standards, commitment to continued professional development, and encouragement of other practitioners.

Submit your nomination

This form should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. If you have nominated someone in the past and would like them to be considered again this year, you do not need to fill out the form again. Please contact Jeremy at [email protected] to resubmit a nomination or with any other questions.

"*" indicates required fields

Please select award*

Which award are you submitting a nomination for?

About you

Name*

First Last

Email*

Phone*

How are you familiar with the nominee's work?*

Do you wish to be contacted as a reference for the nominee?*

Yes

Nominee Information

Name*

First Last

Email*

In what jurisdiction(s) does the nominee primarily provide mitigation services?*

How long has the nominee worked in the field of mitigation?*

About the nominee's work

There are no word limits for the following questions, but we recommend submitting no more than 250 words per question.

Please share how the nominee’s work has achieved positive case outcomes for their clients.*

Please share the quality of the nominees work product and/or positive case outcomes.*

Does the nominee adhere to mitigation standards and demonstrate commitment to best practices?*

These include: in-person, unannounced interviews; multigenerational records collection; thorough analysis of records; working collaboratively with colleagues; serving as a non-testifying member of a team; and client-centered defense.

Is there a high need in the jurisdictions where the nominee practices?*

Has the nominee been involved in late-stage or emergency situations? How has the nominee distinguished themselves in these cases?*

Does the nominee practice client-centered defense, including awareness of client’s needs both within and beyond a case? Please share an example, if possible.*

How has the nominee displayed leadership in the community?*

Please share some examples. This may include, but is not limited to: mentorship of others in the field; efforts to increase diversity and inclusion; research and publications; training facilitation and leadership; partnerships, and other outreach efforts.

How has the nominee actively engaged with the mitigation community?*

Please share some examples. This may include, but is not limited to: support for peers or colleagues; efforts to increase diversity and inclusion; research and publications; active training participation; acting as an ambassador for the field.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?*

Nominee's CV (if available):

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Reference #1

Name*

First Last

Email*

Phone

Reference #2

Name*

First Last

Email*

Phone

Reference #3 (Optional)

Note: Third reference is required only if the nominator is unable to be contacted as a reference.

Name

First Last

Phone

Submit your nominations for the 2026 ARC Awards!

Recognizing excellence in mitigation

The Muhammad-White Award

The Emerging Leader Award

Submit your nomination

About you

Nominee Information

About the nominee's work

Reference #1

Reference #2

Reference #3 (Optional)

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