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Awarded annually, the Eisenberg Award is handed out by the Public Defender Board in recognition of one’s tirelessly work for the rights of our poorest citizens. The award is named in honor of Dean Howard Eisenberg.

2011 - Awarded to the Wisconsin Counties Association for its long-time support of updating the SPD’s eligibility criteria.

2010 - Awarded to Nicholas L. Chiarkas for his 22 years of innovative and courageous leadership as Wisconsin State Public Defender.

2009 - Awarded to honor key contributors to the Wisconsin Veterans Intervention Program (WI-VIP): Judge James Daley, Rock County Circuit Court Presiding Judge; Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; UW-Law School’s Frank J. Remington Center; Dr. Dean Krahn; Wm S. Middleton Memorial Hospital’s Mental Health Services Chief.

2007 - In recognition of the conference’s juvenile justice theme, and the success and impact that so many are having in the area of juvenile justice, the Public Defender Board felt it would have been a disservice to single out only one person or only one organization. Rather, the Board honored everyone (public defender staff, the private bar, judges, detention centers, social services agencies…the list goes on and on) fighting for the rights of our children.

2006 - Awarded to Sister Esther Heffernan in recognition of her longtime dedication to peace and justice.

2005 - Awarded to the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals in recognition of it’s efforts to develop and strengthen treatment courts throughout Wisconsin.

2004 - Awarded to the Milwaukee Bar Association and its Legal Services to the Indigent Defense Committee in recognition of their dedication and ongoing efforts in support of indigent defense in Milwaukee as well as in Wisconsin.

2003 - Awarded to Representative Terri McCormick (Grand Chute) in recognition of the Representative’s leadership role in legislation that fixes the problem of poor people going unrepresented in our court houses because they do not qualify for SPD representation.