Have you seen those “Top 100 Lawyers” or “Influential Women in Business” awards and wondered how recipients actually earn those distinctions?
Industry awards can often seem opaque with confusing criteria and vast competition that makes award nominations feel like an uphill battle. You are not alone.
Over the past decade at Blattel Communications, I’ve written hundreds of award nominations and have seen all kinds of award submission formats — some ask for a lawyer’s matter list with a short description, while others seek long-form essays breaking down the nominee’s influence. But the one thing that remains constant across all submission forms is the emphasis on — and importance of — a good story.
A strong character can carry a story, but the character’s impact can be devalued if their story itself is weak. Think “The Joker” sequel from 2024: Joaquin Phoenix is a delight to watch, which should have made a mass-appeal hit, but the film’s story left too much to be desired. The inverse is also true — a great story elevates a great character even higher, creating something truly memorable — much like Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad.
That’s where the right team can add value. By leaning into our expert writing skills and storytelling prowess, we can transform your career achievements into a story worth recognizing by highlighting your impact, leadership and relevance in a way that appeals to judges and readers.
Nominations Should Showcase Your Story, Don’t Skimp on Impact
What makes a good story worth telling — and worth recognizing?
As a lawyer, your litigation achievements are impressive, but do results alone make a good story? Don’t get us wrong. There’s a reason legal and courtroom dramas like Suits are popular; but we all know Suits isn’t reality, and the truth of legal work is too procedural for a TV show.
So, what makes a show like Suits work? Drama, suspense, unique settings and compelling themes and characters: these are key elements that demonstrate the impact of a good story.
When writing an award nomination, all good stories have a beginning, a middle and an end woven together as a larger narrative. This is what helps convince the reviewing body that this nominee is worth recognizing. As you prepare for your nomination, consider the following:
- Does this matter or achievement break new ground or set legal or industry precedent?
- Was it a first-of-its-kind or unusually complex case or deal in a specialty jurisdiction?
- Did you argue in front of a legendary judge? Close a deal in record time despite a giant transactional team?
- Does this matter exemplify a recent trend or follow a major news event that we can highlight (e.g., consumer class actions against technology companies involved in data breaches, lawsuits against public entities over wildfires, etc.)?
- When you tell colleagues or family members about this case or deal, what excites you? What piques the interest of those outside of the profession?
These are just a few examples, but they point to the key elements that frame the story and help us (the writers) sell the readers (the judges) on the impact of the matter and your role in it.
Extensive Nomination Details
A couple of my favorite authors are Agatha Christie and Stephen King. Each author pours incredible detail into their stories. There is no such thing as a filler or throwaway point in their storytelling. Every single word or idea, no matter how small, either sets up a red herring meant to distract the reader or a clue pointing to the suspect. From character descriptions to setting the scene, reading these stories is always incredibly immersive.
Details provide additional flavor and context for your story. If you’re describing a matter that recently concluded, it helps to have more facts that point to the impact of the case and your role in it. Asking pointed questions that lead to more detailed answers is a simple way to move beyond a surface-level case description, giving more authority to your submission.
Some examples may include:
- Will this deal break new ground, open new markets or shape an industry? What brought the parties to the table?
- How long was the matter litigated and what were the stakes at the outset?
- If settled, can you disclose the settlement amount and the plaintiff’s original demand?
- On what grounds did you successfully convince a judge to dismiss a case?
- What was the basis for your appeal?
- Is the matter still ongoing and does it signal broader industry impact?
- What are the potential ripple effects of the matter on an industry or society more broadly? If a deal, what is the larger significance of the deal beyond value?
Waiting to Submit an Award Nomination is OK, Too
Not every year is the right one to submit a nomination. Maybe you don’t have a big win to highlight or you want to increase your community involvement before putting yourself forward. Or, maybe you’re working on a big matter that you expect to resolve before next year’s award cycle.
Regardless of the reason, waiting a year isn’t the worst strategy. In most cases, it will strengthen your nomination next year with a fresh and full narrative. The goal is not a submission for its own sake, but recognition grounded in substance and impact.
We Win Awards — For Our Clients
At Blattel Communications, we specialize in award nomination strategy for professional services firms. We bring to bear our deep writing expertise and an understanding of how award committees evaluate candidates. We’ve helped clients earn recognition across legal, real estate, finance and design industries by approaching each nomination with the same level of care and strategy.
In the end, award nominations come down to storytelling. Carefully chosen details and a clear point of view bring submissions to life and make strong work easier to recognize.