Texas Judge Named Recipient of National Court Organization’s Distinguished Service Award

Williamsburg, VA  (May 8, 2015) – Judge Lora J. Livingston of Travis County, Texas, is the recipient of the National Center for State Courts' 2015 Distinguished Service Award for a State Trial Court Judge, one of the highest awards presented by the organization. The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to those who have made significant contributions to the justice system and who have supported the mission of NCSC. The award will be presented to Judge Livingston May 8 during a conference hosted by the American Bar Association and the National Legal Aid & Defender Association.    

“Judge Livingston’s commitment to the justice system, especially in the area of pro bono work, continues to make a positive impact on those in her community and on the state courts,” said NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. “Judge Livingston has dedicated much of her professional life to legal services and improving access to courts for everyone.”

Judge Livingston was elected judge of the 261^st District Court in Travis County in 1998 after serving as an associate judge for the Travis County District Courts since 1995.  She has received numerous awards for her achievements, including: the Texas Center for the Judiciary Exemplary Judicial Faculty Award in 2009 and 2006; the Women of Distinction Award by the Lonestar Girl Scouts Council in 2006; the Texas Access to Justice Commission Pro Bono Champion Award, and the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation Harold F. Kleinman Award in 2005.

Judge Livingston is a 1982 graduate of UCLA School of Law and began her legal career as a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellow assigned to the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas.

NCSC presents six Distinguished Service awards annually to those who have made significant contributions to the court system and to the work of the NCSC. The awards recognize one person from each of the following categories: current of former state appellate judge; current of former state trial judge; state-level court administrator or employee; trial-level court administrator or employee; attorney or other individual not employed by the courts; and current or former international judge or court executive.

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. Founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, NCSC provides education, training, technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts.