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Bar association gives ex-U.S. attorney Lam 'prestigious' award
By: SCOTT MARSHALL - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Carol Lam, one of eight former U.S. attorneys across the country whose dismissals have ignited a political firestorm and calls for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, has been named outstanding attorney of the year by the San Diego County Bar Association, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
Andy Albert, the association's immediate past president, said the decision to give Lam what the association calls its "most prestigious" award was not a political one.
"We just felt she was a great example of courage and dignity under fire," Albert said. "She really took the high road in her entire tenure. ... It was merely a recognition of the high-class way she represented herself and, as an extension, the legal community."
Lam, a senior vice president and legal counsel for Qualcomm, Inc., since February, said Wednesday that the award is "a great honor."
"I'd like to be accepting the award on behalf of the United States attorney's office," Lam said. "The attorneys in that office surely deserve it more than I do."
In a news release announcing the award for Lam and 10 other awards, the bar association said Lam "has demonstrated the highest level of ethics and professionalism and fought government corruption and corporate misdeeds."
A longtime assistant U.S. attorney, Lam was appointed to and served as a Superior Court judge for less than two years before being named U.S. attorney in San Diego in 2002. Lam resigned as the top federal prosecutor Feb. 15.
U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, whose district covers much of North County and Temecula, was a vocal critic of Lam, contending she was not prosecuting alien smuggling and other border cases enough.
Issa's spokesman, Frederick Hill, said Wednesday afternoon that the congressman's criticism of Lam was focused on a "policy difference," and that Issa believes Lam deserves the recognition the bar association is giving her.
"Congressman Issa thinks the bar association has made a good choice," Hill said Wednesday. "Carol Lam has made important contributions to San Diego."
U.S. attorneys serve at the pleasure of the president. Critics of the firings of Lam and the other U.S. attorneys have argued that the actions were politically motivated. The White House has said the dismissals were for failing to follow policy objectives.
A former top official at the Justice Department testified to Congress in March that Lam was asked to resign because of a problem with her immigration prosecutions and not because her office pursued a political corruption case that resulted in a guilty plea and federal prison sentence for now-disgraced former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a Republican.
Contact staff writer Scott Marshall at (760) 631-6623 or smarshall@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.
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Scott wrote on Apr 26, 2007 4:31 AM:"Andy Albert, the association's immediate past president, said the decision to give Lam what the association calls its "most prestigious" award was not a political one." What was it then?
Times are out of joint: wrote on Apr 26, 2007 6:27 AM:It irks me to think that in this topsy turvy political world, a nothing- nobody-gnat, like Gonzales was in a position to fire such an outstanding professional who had served the people so well. Incredibly he did, though he can't recall why. He continues to have the confidence of the President and we have lost a champion for ethical behavior.
Emerald wrote on Apr 26, 2007 8:55 AM:Is it now considered political to honor professionalism, ethics, courage, and dignity under fire in a career that fought government corruption and corporate misdeeds? I think it is considered patriotic. An accomplished professional demonstrating true American values was honored. She also had the grace to accept it on behalf of all her peers from that office. Sounds worthy of an award to me...
libreincarnate wrote on Apr 26, 2007 8:56 AM:No its not political. Its a statement, a statement exonerating the record and character of a women who was ousted for political reasons and made to look like she was incompetent. San Diego County Bar Association just set the record straight on her performance credentials. What say you?
A Class Act wrote on Apr 26, 2007 10:08 AM:As Gonzales cannot remember anything surrounding the firing of Lam, she graciously accepts the award on behalf of the US attorney's office. Her memory is still sharp, her professionalism and political savvy still evident. No burned bridges, no negativity and a real class act!
Monica wrote on Apr 26, 2007 3:01 PM:Congratulations Ms. Lam. You are an inspiration. Keep up the good work. A raspberry to Darrel Issa. How dare he speak accolades for her out of the same mouth he used to criticize her. His hollow words mean nothing. She worked hard for the district she served and she did a fantastic job. I will always be grateful for her determination in cleaning up corruption.
Bucky wrote on Apr 26, 2007 3:01 PM:Carol Lam is a hack who did, not a lousey job, but no job at all of putting illegal immigrent smugglers in jail. She was a total failure at that and caused Border Patrol agents to feel like their brave efforts were wasted. Good riddens to bad rubbish !
Kevin wrote on Apr 27, 2007 2:57 PM:When is Darrell Issa going to explain his use of a Border Patrol report against Carol Lam that had the date of the report and the contents of the report purposely altered to fit the needs of Issas' witchhunt? He is a scummy little attack dog for the Bush Admin. Did anyone notice Issas' disrespectful and nasty tone while questioning Pat Tillman's mother?
Fong Fong wrote on Apr 27, 2007 3:51 PM:I am proud of Carol Lam. Congratulations on the award!
Jason, PhD wrote on May 13, 2007 10:00 PM:Carol Lam, You are a person of integrity, you were a prosecutor who took your job seriously. Most prosecutors are predators Nancy Grace would be the best example. You did your job with the highest ethical standards and morality, you should continue your legal career in the next democrat administration. We need people with integrity. We need good Attorney Generals that are willing to do be non partisan and have courage to seek the truth.
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