In recognition of exceptional accomplishments over a lifetime of distinguished leadership and service on behalf of the law, NACDL has presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals.
| 2021 | Norman L. Reimer | New York, NY |
| 2020 | Bryan Stevenson | Montgomery, AL |
| 2018 | Theodore V. Wells, Jr. | New York, NY |
| 2017 | Charles J. Ogletree, Jr. | Boston, MA |
| 2014 | Manuel D. Vargas | New York, NY |
| 2009 | Hans A. Linde | Portland, OR |
| 2008 | James M. Shellow | Milwaukee, WI |
| 2008 | James R. Willis | Cleveland, OH |
| 2008 | Stephen B. Bright | Atlanta, GA |
| 2007 | Bobby Lee Cook | Summerville, GA |
| 2006 | Robert W. Ritchie | Knoxville, TN |
| 2002 | Ephraim Margolin | San Francisco, CA |
| 1999 | Samuel Dash | Washington, DC |
| 1999 | Michael E. Tigar | Washington, DC |
| 1998 | Charles A. Gessler | Los Angeles, CA |
| 1996 | Judge William Wayne Justice | Tyler, TX |
| 1996 | Deryl Dantzler | Macon, GA |
| 1995 | Ramsey Clark | New York, NY |
| 1995 | Raymond A. Brown | Newark, NJ |
| 1991 | Cathy E. Bennett | Galveston, TX |
| 1987 | Albert J. Krieger | Miami, FL |
