Tom Hanks to Receive First-Ever ALPIA Juris Pride Award for Role in BRIDGE OF SPIES

On October 8, 2015, the Board of Directors of the American Lawyers Public Image Association attended a screening of the new Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks movie, Bridge of Spies. At the conclusion of the film and Q&A with Hanks and Spielberg that followed, the Board immediately conferred and passed a resolution to Create the ALPIA Juris Pride award to hail this monumental film. "Simply put, we were blown away," Nader Anise, Executive Director of ALPIA said.

"After the movie, we just looked at each other and said, now what?" Anise recalls with a chuckle. "We knew that, due to the indelible significance of this movie, we had to make a big deal about it but how?"

That's when Anise suggested creating the Juris Pride award. "I threw out the idea to the board members and everyone loved it," Anise says proudly. Calling it 'Juris Pride' seemed like the perfect name," he adds. "After watching Bridge of Spies, we felt pride in being lawyers."

"Tom Hanks will be the first ever recipient of the ALPIA Juris Pride award," Anise announced. He continued, "What a great way to mark ALPIA's 15 year anniversary. From this point forward, ALPIA will continue to award Juris Prides to both lawyers and non-lawyers who project a positive light on the legal profession and instill a sense of pride in being an attorney."

Bridge of Spies depicts the real-life story of an insurance lawyer, James Donovan, who was recruited by the CIA to represent a Soviet spy on three criminal counts. Hanks, who plays Donovan, gives a masterful performance as an ethical and humble attorney and family man. "Finally, an OSCAR-caliber movie about lawyers that isn't lawyer bashing or disparaging to the profession. Actually, the lawyer is the good guy for a change a hero!" Anise proclaims.

Anise is optimistic Bridge of Spies will be a turning point in how the public perceives lawyers. "Through his acting genius, Tom was able to take the viewer into the inner sanctum of what real lawyers do the trials and tribulations, the highs and lows. By channeling his inner Atticus Finch, Hanks spotlighted the credo of every conscientious lawyer: Zealous representation of client trumps all."

Anise notes, "We have already begun designing the Juris Pride award, although we haven't determined a date or location for the ceremony. We don't have the final product yet, but we know it will be a statue of Lady Justice. Don't you think Tom would look great with a Juris Pride in one hand and an OSCAR in the other?" Anise asks rhetorically.

ALPIA is the American Lawyers Public Image Association, founded in 2000. It is a 501(c)(3) and only organization in the world formed solely to promote a positive public image of lawyers. ALPIA is the world leader on attorney image issues. The website is www.alpia.org.

SOURCE American Lawyers Public Image Association

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos