On January 23, 2026, Brian Panish was honored to receive the 2026 Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award from the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Los Angeles Chapter. The distinguished award was presented to Mr. Panish by longtime friend and fellow ABOTA member, Wally Yoka, at the President’s Installation/Dinner Dance held in Beverly Hills, California.
“What I see in Mr. Panish, is a tough, committed advocate for his clients but someone you can most definitely have a drink with, and I’ve had a few of those with him,” said Mr. Yoka. “Lee Wenzel was my law partner, whose name this award is about, and I think Lee Wenzel would be very happy that Brian Panish is getting this award.”
Mr. Panish, joined at the Western-themed event by his family, fellow law partners Adam Shea and Rahul Ravipudi, and members of the Firm, then took to the stage to accept his award and give a heartfelt and hilarious speech to more than 150 people who attended the event.
“I’m deeply honored and, honestly, a little surprised to be receiving the Lee B. Wenzel Civility award and because this award bears Lee Wenzel’s name, it carries a special meaning,” Mr. Panish said as he accepted his award. “Lee represented the best in our profession. He represented the best in skill and principle, strength and courtesy, and fierce advocacy without losing sight of the people around him. He was also a longtime friend of my father, who was also an ABOTA member, and a good friend to our family, so being connected to his legacy is deeply humbling.”
Mr. Panish’s speech included stories about his shared experiences as a trial lawyer and the takeaways from the lessons he’s learned along the way that have made him the man he is today.
“I accept this award with deep honor and as a reminder to keep earning it everyday…day-by-day, case-by-case, conversation-by-conversation,” said Mr. Panish. “Thank you to ABOTA, the board, the members, everyone who is here. I’m gratful and humbled to receive this award and will do my best to live up to the name Lee Wenzel and what it represents.”
Founded in 1958, ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges who are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. ABOTA membership is by invitation only and consists of more than 7,300 lawyers—equally balanced between plaintiff and defense—and judges spread among 96 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.