Announcing the 2021 Mark F. Leonard Award Winner

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck introduced the Mark F. Leonard Award in 2016 to recognize one employee annually who embodies the firm’s core values—All In, Excellence, Respect, Giving Back—and inspires this behavior in others.

The firm is proud to announce that Office Services and Facilities Manager Joel Abell is the recipient of the 2021 Mark F. Leonard Award. A Brownstein employee for more than 26 years, Joel is based in the firm’s Denver office and is known for being “All In” for his colleagues and the firm’s clients, treating others with respect and mentoring and motivating his team.

Joel was recognized with the Mark F. Leonard Award on Dec. 6 at a firmwide virtual townhall. Mark Leonard, who was honored with the inaugural award and serves as its namesake, and Managing Partner Rich Benenson presented Joel with the award.

“Joel’s ‘All In,’” said Rich in a video highlighting Joel’s accomplishments. “Whether it’s delivering boxes to the courthouse in the rain or staying late to make sure that your clients have a meal or making sure all the logistics of whatever you need are taken care of, he’s always made sure that happens. He’s always gone that extra mile. He’s dependable. He’s reliable. He’s part of our team.”

Chief Operating Officer Barb Mica praised Joel’s readiness to jump in and ensure office operations ran smoothly when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020 and to this day “has the place running like a fine-tuned Swiss watch.”

“He is the oil of the Brownstein machine,” said Administrative Manager/Albuquerque Office Administrator Michelle Marsh. “He keeps all the gears running and he makes sure that everything is smooth for every single person here, whether it’s a secretary or the managing partner. He treats them all with dignity and respect and makes sure that they can do their job and have what they need. Joel knows how we do things here, and he makes sure that things are done right.”

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 Joel exemplifies Brownstein’s core values and why he is so deserving of this award. 

Congratulations, Joel!