JUDGE JOHN D. BATES HONORED WITH NATION'S HIGHEST JUDICIAL AWARD AT THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

PHOENIX, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of the United States was the site of Dwight D. Opperman Foundation's 41st Annual Devitt Award last night, as Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. opened the ceremony, honoring Senior United States District Judge of the U.S. District of Columbia, John Deacon Bates.

The Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award was established by Dwight D. Opperman (1923-2013), the legendary former Chairman and President of West Publishing Company, who gave us WestLaw, the premier legal information services provider. In addition to his most innovative contributions to the legal and judicial community, Mr. Opperman was its most dedicated and unrivaled philanthropist. Forty-three years ago, he established an award that would recognize, celebrate and honor, "The unsung heroes of our great American judiciary," he would often say. The Devitt Award became the unrivaled crowning recognition bestowed upon an Article III federal judge who has served with tremendous distinction.

Every Justice on the Supreme Court has participated in the Devitt Award, and nearly all of them have Chaired the Selection Committee which is comprised of Judges from the lower courts. Justice Amy Coney Barrett served as Chairman of the 2024-2025 term, along with Judge John Lee and Judge Dabney Friedrich.

In selecting Judge Bates, Justice Barrett said that since joining the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Bates has shouldered responsibilities of great consequence. He led the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, directing the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and serving in important roles within the Judicial Conference. Before presenting the award to him, Justice Barrett said, "In each, you have strengthened the judiciary through your sound judgement and principled leadership." 

The Chief Justice said to Judge Bates, "You are a most worthy recipient." He added, "Before your appointment to the District Court in 2001, you served the country with distinction as a soldier and a government lawyer. For the past quarter century, you have been a model trial judge. And for almost that entire time, you have taken on a series of important leadership posts within the federal judiciary, including as Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Presiding Judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and Chair of both the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules and the Standing Committee on the Rules of Practice and Procedure."

Chief Justice Roberts ended by affirming, "Each time I have called upon you to incur these significant extra burdens on top of your regular caseload, you have accepted enthusiastically and discharged your important responsibilities superbly."

Judge Bates said, "Prior recipients of the Devitt Award represent the very best of the Third Branch, and I am truly humbled to be included with those outstanding judges." 

Matthew Umhofer, President of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, noted that during his lifetime, Dwight Opperman believed deeply that the judiciary was critical to upholding democracy and justice. He said, "Judge Bates has lived out that same belief, and his distinguished career is a testament to his dedication to the judicial craft." 

Julie Opperman, speaking after The Chief Justice, said, "The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation remains dedicated in support of our judiciary and excellence in leadership. We are pleased to continue the tradition of presenting the highest honor in the nation to exceptional federal judges, with the very much appreciated support of the Supreme Court, and with the unwavering guidance of Chief Justice Roberts."

The private ceremony conducted in the Courtroom, was followed by a reception in the East and West Conference Rooms, and a formal dinner in the Great Hall for 100 invited guests, representing the judicial and legal community elite, as well as prominent Washington establishment figures. Luke Fraiser's American Pops Orchestra performed and the national anthem was sung by the distinguished baritone, Chris Rhodovi.

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SOURCE Dwight D. Opperman Foundation