CNN Analyst Jeffrey Toobin to be Keynote Speaker at Philbin Awards
by Jessica D. Smith
Ringing in its 29th year, the Stephen Philbin Awards Luncheon will be held Monday, October 1, 2012 at the Belo Mansion. The Philbin Awards, started in 1983 by the Dallas Bar Association, recognizes local news journalists for their excellence in legal reporting. This year’s luncheon is co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of DFW.
The luncheon is a way to honor not only the local media, but also the memory of Stephen Philbin who lost his battle with leukemia in 1982. A long-time member of the Dallas Bar Association and a partner with Locke, Purnell, Boren, Laney & Neely, at the time of his death, Mr. Philbin was a leading authority on media law in Texas. He advised major publications and broadcast companies on libel law, regulations and licensing of broadcast properties, and fair comment rulings.
In honor of his contributions to media law in the Dallas area, the Philbin and Brock families, acting through the Dallas Bar Foundation, fund the annual Philbin Awards, with the DBA Media Relations Committee coordinating the event.
This year’s entries range from major TV news networks and affiliates to radio stations to both print and on-line news from the area’s large metro newspapers, magazines and suburban publications.
The winners will be announced at the Stephen Philbin Awards Luncheon on Monday, October 1, at the Pavilion at the Belo Mansion. The luncheon is open to judges and lawyers and all members of the media.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon is Jeffrey Toobin, attorney, author and senior analyst for CNN Worldwide. Mr. Toobin will speak on his new book The Oath—a gripping insider’s account of the momentous ideological war between the John Roberts Supreme Court and the Obama Administration. The Oath will be available for purchase at the end of the luncheon. Mr. Toobin will also be available for book signings.
Mr. Toobin has written several critically acclaimed, best-selling books including, The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court listed on the New York Times best-seller list for more than four months. He has covered legal affairs for The New Yorker since 1993 and has written articles on subjects such as Attorney General John Ashcroft, the 2001 dispute over Florida’s votes for president, the Paula Jones sexual harassment case, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and the trial of Timothy McVeigh. His article, “An Incendiary Defense,” published in the July 25, 1994 issue of the magazine, broke the news that the O.J. Simpson defense team planned to accuse Mark Fuhrman of planting evidence and to play “the race card.”
Before joining The New Yorker, Mr. Toobin served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Brooklyn, New York. He also served as an associate counsel in the Office of Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh, an experience that provided the basis for his first book, Opening Arguments: A Young Lawyer’s First Case—United States v. Oliver North.
Mr. Toobin earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
DBA members can reserve their seats now for the 2012 Stephen Philbin Awards Luncheon on Monday, October 1. To receive the early bird rate of $40 per ticket or $400 per table of 10, register by September 17. After September 17, tickets increase to $45; and tables of 10 can be purchased for $450. No walk-ins will be allowed. Don’t miss this exciting event! Purchase your ticket by logging on to www.dallasbar.org or by contacting Judi Smalling at jsmalling@dallasbar.org.
Jessica D. Smith is the DBA’s Communications/Media Director. She can be reached at jsmith@dallasbar.org.
