2026 O’Hagan-Carr Award presented to the founder and pioneers of the USLAW NETWORK Women’s Connection

POSTED MARCH 31, 2026

During last week’s 20^th anniversary celebration of the USLAW NETWORK Women’s Connection in Beverly Hills, California, USLAW NETWORK presented the 2026 USLAW NETWORK O’Hagan-Carr Award to the founder and pioneers of the USLAW NETWORK Women’s Connection. The award is named after Jim O’Hagan and Charles Carr, co-founding members of USLAW NETWORK, and is given annually by the USLAW Chair to a USLAW member(s) who demonstrates outstanding service and commitment to the organization’s mission and guiding principles.

“The USLAW Women’s Connection has become one of the most successful programs within USLAW, and it is fitting to recognize its founder and early leaders with the 2026 USLAW NETWORK O’Hagan-Carr Award,” said Jennifer D. Tricker, Chair of USLAW NETWORK from Baird Holm LLP in Nebraska. “We are grateful for the many individuals who served as the initial catalyst to create, develop, inspire and spark this remarkable USLAW community.”

Judge Renée Yanta (retired), founder of the USLAW Women’s Connection and the first female Chair of USLAW NETWORK, accepted the award on behalf of all who have helped shape and contributed to its growth since 2006.

Upon accepting the award, Yanta shared, “Women excel when our sisters excel. That was the fundamental principle that inspired the USLAW Women’s Collection—now the USLAW Women’s Connection. And it is the steadfastness of our USLAW Sisters to that principle that has made the USLAW Women’s Connection so sustainable and successful.”

What began as a small, intentional effort to foster community among women attorneys and in-house legal decision-makers has grown into one of USLAW’s most influential and valued initiatives—shaping careers, strengthening client relationships, and building a powerful legacy of leadership.

O’Hagan-Carr Award recipients

2026 – Founder [Judge Renée Yanta (retired)] and pioneers/early leaders of the USLAW NETWORK Women’s Connection
2025 – Douglas W. Clarke, Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur LLP (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
2024 – Edward G. Hochuli
2023 – Kevin L. Fritz, Lashly & Baer, P.C. (Missouri)
2022 – Dan L. Longo, Murchison & Cumming LLP (California)
2021 – Donald L. Myles, Jr.; Mark A. Solheim, Larson King LLP (Minnesota)
2020 – John D. Cromie, Connell Foley LLP (New Jersey)
2019 – Thomas L. Oliver, II, Carr Allison (Alabama)
2018 – Noble F. Allen, Hinckley Allen (Connecticut); and (posthumously) Wendell G. Large
2017 – Ami C. Dwyer
2016 – Bradley A. Wright, Roetzel & Andress (Ohio)
2015 – Nicholas E. Christin, Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy & Ford P.A. (Florida); Larry A. Schechtman, Amundsen Davis LLC (Illinois)
2014 – Kenneth B. Wingate, Sweeny Wingate & Barrow, P.A. (South Carolina)
2013 – Sheryl J. Willert, Williams Kastner (Washington)
2012 – Richard K. Traub; Daniel W. Gerber
2011 – James J. O’Hagan; Charles F. Carr, Carr Allison (Alabama); Roger M. Yaffe, CEO of USLAW NETWORK
2010 – Thomas S. Thornton, Carr Allison (Alabama)
2009 – Donean Surratt
2008 – Lew R.C. Bricker, Amundsen Davis LLC (Illinois)
2007 – Jeffrey L. O’Hara