Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service

Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service
Awarded for	Justice Department Employee Achievement
Sponsored by	U.S. Attorney General
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The Attorney General's David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the Department of Justice's highest award for employee performance. The award was renamed after Associate Deputy Attorney General David Margolis, who served for 51 years in the Department of Justice, in 2016. ^[1]

Criteria

The award may be given for achievements or contributions that must demonstrate one of the following: ^[2]

• The performance service in the public interest above requirements to improve the operation, public understanding of the Department's mission, or accomplishments of one of the goals of the department.
• Outstanding contribution to the Department of Justice and/or exceptionally outstanding leadership in the administration of programs which meet unique or emergency situations.
• Extraordinary courage and risk of life in performing an act resulting in direct benefits to the department or the nation.

Recipients

2024

Investigation and prosecution team of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting: ^[3] Barry K. Disney, Troy Rivetti, Aaron J. Stewart, Soo C. Song, Samantha Bell, Nicole Vasquez Schmitt, Brian R. Collins, Christopher M. Hanrahan, Evan P. Browne, Adrienne R. Howe, Bridget M. Simunovic, Mary J. Hahn, Kristin N. Czernewski and Julia K. Gegenheimer.

2023

Hilary Axam, William Nolan, Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, Craig Baune, David Genrich, Stefnie Braun, Selina Kolsrud, Daniel Czapko, Mark Zeitz, Tonya Price, John Tschida and Kevin Sullivan ^[4]

2022

Samantha Trepel, Tara Allison, Allen Slaughter, Evan Gilead, LeeAnn Bell Manda Sertich, Samantha Bates, Blake Hostetter, Henry Fronk, Stefnie Braun, Selina Kolsrud, Christina Busse and Daniel Czapko ^[4]

2021

Jessica A. Nye, Peter Ahearn Jr, Blair H. Newman, John A. Maser, Lindsey Chiesa, Naomi R. Patrick, Thomas S. Breeden, Carrie A. Crot, Sean A. McDermott, Eric L. Iverson, Anand P. Ramaswamy and Ryan Kao Jeung Dickey ^[5]

2020

Assistant Attorney General for Administration Lee J. Lofthus ^[6]

2017

Prosecution team in the case of the Trinitarios gang members: ^[7] Nola B. Heller, Sarah R. Krissoff, Matthew J. Laroche, Michael D. Maimin, Rachel Maimin, Micah WJ Smith, Darci Brady, Andrew J. Daher, Kenneth G. Crotty, William D. Melodick, Moises Walters, Paul H. Pasuco, Paul Jeselson, Pedro Alfonso, John Urena

2016

Team responsible for the investigation and prosecution of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber: ^[8] Aloke S. Chakravarty, James B. Farmer, William D. Weinreb, Cara M. Henderson, Christina DiIorio-Sterling, Kathleen M. Griffin, Jessica M. Pooler, Steven D. Mellin, Jeffrey B. Kahan, Courtland D. Rae, David S. Bell, Timothy D. Brown, Michelle M. Gamble, David P. Cora, Gregory R. Gonzalez, Joseph N. Kaster, Pamela J. Hall, Laura P. Galban, Jamie M. Haydel, Kevin W. Neal, Jeffrey L. Bohn, Jesse Donaruma, Matthew Lawlor, Robert M. Lima, Jonathan A. Lemay, Gregory C. Petchel, Charles Hardison, Harry W. Little, Mark S. Walker, Richard “Todd” Jordan,Leigh N. Marchegiani, Christopher J. Bould

References

1. Rich (2016-07-12). "David Margolis Dies". Former US Attorneys Association. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
2. "UNITED STATES BORDER PATROL MEDALS AND RIBBONS PROGRAM" (PDF). www.honorfirst.com. 1996.
3. "Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Justice Department Employees and Partners for the 72nd Annual Attorney General's Awards". Department of Justice. January 17, 2025.
4. "Office of Public Affairs | Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Justice Department Employees and Partners for the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General's Awards | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2024-01-31. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
5. "Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Others for the 69th Annual Attorney General's Awards". 2022-07-12. Archived from the original on 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
6. "Attorney General William P. Barr Honors Department of Justice Employees and Others for the 68th Annual Attorney General's Awards". 2020-11-12. Archived from the original on 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
7. "RECIPIENTS OF THE 65th ANNUAL ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AWARDS" (PDF). Department of Justice. November 2017.
8. "Office of Public Affairs | Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Hosts the 64th Annual Attorney General's Awards Ceremony Honoring Justice Department Employees and Others for Their Service | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2025-12-11.