U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes Employees for Outstanding Work in 2021

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio presented awards to honor exceptional advocacy, support and legal work on behalf of the district's six million residents in the year 2021.

"Each year, our office recognizes exceptional performance, leadership and effort put forth by employees of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District on behalf of the residents and communities that we serve,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler,” "Whether it's combating violent crime, protecting taxpayers, assisting with case management or managing the needs of an office of over 200 employees, these award recipients embody the best of public service."

Details of the award winners are below:

National Association of Former United States Attorneys’ Exceptional Service Award

The National Association of Former United States Attorneys’ award recognizes exceptional service to the United States Attorneys’ Office, the Department of Justice and the United States in its award for Exceptional Service. 

Awardee: Carol Skutnik

 

Excellence in Civil, Criminal, Paralegal and Administrative Support

Awarded for outstanding overall performance for a particular project/case/duty or series of projects/cases/duties in a respective office division.

Excellence in Civil Support Kendall Miller	Excellence in Paralegal Support Jennifer Miller
Excellence in Criminal Support Judith Toth	Excellence in Administrative Support Kerri Hesketh

 

New Legal Support Award

Awarded to a civil, criminal, or administrative support employee with less than five years of experience who demonstrates outstanding overall performance, a superior commitment to the mission of the Office and displays significant growth in the execution of their duties.

Awardee: Kelsey Sprenger

 

New AUSA Excellence Award

Awarded to an Assistant U.S. Attorney with less than five years of experience who demonstrates outstanding overall performance, a superior commitment to the mission of the Office and displays significant growth in the execution of their duties.

Awardee: Matthew Simko

 

The Jane Corrigan Award

Awarded to a supportive staff member who is always professional, ready to help others in the performance of their duties, who expresses a “can-do” attitude, and whose demeanor is always engaging.

Awardee: Antoinette Burrell

 

Bernard A. Smith Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy

Awarded for exceptional advocacy in an appellate matter. Nominees are considered for their professionalism, the difficulty of the legal arguments briefed or argued, and any other challenging case-related circumstances, regardless of verdict or court opinion.

Awardee: Daniel Ranke

 

Excellence in Criminal Advocacy

Awarded for exceptional advocacy in a criminal matter. Nominees are considered for their professionalism, the difficulty of the legal arguments briefed or argued, and any other challenging case-related circumstances, regardless of verdict or court opinion.

Awardees: Michael Collyer, Megan Miller, Bryan Bricker, Allison Kretz

 

Excellence in Civil Advocacy

Awarded for exceptional advocacy in a civil matter. Nominees are considered for their professionalism, the difficulty of the legal arguments briefed or argued, and any other challenging case-related circumstances, regardless of verdict or court opinion.

Awardee: Suzana Koch

 

AUSA Supervisor of the Year

Awarded to a supervisor who has demonstrated superior professionalism, leadership, and management in the performance of their duties.

Awardee: Steven Paffilas

 

The Bill Edwards Career Award

Awarded to an Assistant U.S. Attorney with more than 15 years of experience who has demonstrated superior professionalism in the execution of their duties and excellence in leadership and mentorship throughout their career.

Awardee: Guillermo “Bill” Rojas

 

The Roberta Sladick Career Award

Named after former Northern District of Ohio employee Roberta Sladick and awarded to a support staff employee with more than 15 years of experience who has demonstrated superior professionalism in the execution of the support staff’s duties, and excellence in leadership and mentorship throughout the person’s career.

Awardee: Sarah Perkins

 

The Craig Tame Award for Excellence in Community Outreach Award

Named in honor of former Northern District of Ohio Law Enforcement Coordinator Craig Tame and awarded to an employee who demonstrates a commitment to community service and making the Northern District of Ohio a better place to live. 

Awardee: Michelle Heyer

 

Employee of the Year – Administrative Support

Awarded for exceptional overall performance, which demonstrates a superior commitment in the execution of the person’s duties in the Administrative Division.

Awardee:  SharNette McCully

 

Employee of the Year – Legal Support:

Awarded to a Legal Support employee for exceptional overall performance, taking into account all the required responsibilities in the performance of the person’s duties, which demonstrates a superior commitment to the interests of justice, and the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office.

Awardee: Jesse Sherman

 

AUSA of the Year 

Awarded to an Assistant United States Attorney for exceptional overall performance, taking into account all the required responsibilities in the performance of the person’s duties, which demonstrates a superior commitment to the interests of justice and the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office.

Awardees: Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Kolansky and Peter Daly

 

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