Announcing the 2022 Mark F. Leonard Award Winner

Lara Day, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s chief culture and communications officer, has been recognized with the firm’s 2022 Mark F. Leonard Award. The award was introduced in 2016 and annually recognizes one employee who embodies the firm’s core values—All In, Excellence, Respect, Giving Back—and inspires this behavior in others.

Based in the firm’s Denver office, Lara is responsible for researching, cultivating and preserving Brownstein’s organizational culture. She also oversees the firm’s internal and external communications strategy and public relations efforts, including brand marketing, website content and presentation and communication training for the firm’s attorneys. As co-chair of Brownstein’s crisis management group, Lara draws on her 20 years of experience in leading communications strategy and reputation management to help clients both prepare for and manage crisis situations. 

Lara was honored for driving the firm’s culture initiative, demonstrating a positive attitude, problem solving, jumping in to complete any task and showing respect for all viewpoints and perspectives. She was recognized with the Mark F. Leonard Award on Dec. 14 at a firmwide townhall. Shareholder Mark Leonard, who was honored with the inaugural award and serves as its namesake, presented her with the award.

“I absolutely treasure my collaboration with Lara,” said Managing Partner Rich Benenson in a video highlighting Lara’s accomplishments. “She’s a pro, unflappable, courageous and full of insight.”

Conflicts and Ethics Counsel Kati Rothgery—who nominated Lara for the award—praised her upbeat nature, especially under difficult circumstances, and her ability to show “respect to every individual person in the firm and all the different perspectives.”

“The greatest testament to our culture initiative is the fact that Lara is someone who embodies those values and lives them every day,” said Shareholder Adam Agron, who co-chairs the Culture Task Force with Lara.

This year, the Mark F. Leonard Award Committee received nominations from across the firm, with some individuals receiving multiple nominations. 

Watch the video below to learn more about how Lara exemplifies Brownstein’s core values and why she is so deserving of this award. 

Congratulations, Lara!