The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) anouned that Richard A. Leiter, director of the Marvin & Virginia Schmid Law Library and the Marvin & Virginia Schmid Foundation Professor of Law at the University of Nebraska College of Law, is the 2026 recipient of the Marian Gould Gallagher Distinguished Service Award—the Association’s highest honor.
Established in 1984, this prestigious award recognizes individuals for exceptional and sustained service to the Association or for significant contributions to the professional literature. Honorees are individuals who have recently concluded or are approaching the culmination of a distinguished and impactful career in the field.
“Richard Leiter’s career reflects the very best of our profession—deep subject expertise, sustained leadership, and a commitment to advancing both scholarship and service,” said AALL President Jenny Silbiger. “His contributions to legal research and publishing have shaped how generations of law librarians and legal scholars approach their work. Just as importantly, he has consistently supported and mentored others, strengthening the profession in ways that will continue well beyond his own career. We are proud to recognize him with AALL’s highest honor.”
Leiter has made lasting contributions to legal research, bibliography, and the development of legal information resources. As a leader, educator, and author, he has played a significant role in shaping the way legal materials are organized, understood, and used. His work reflects a deep commitment to the core principles of librarianship and to ensuring access to authoritative legal information.
“No matter the format of the materials, libraries still are bound by Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science,” said Leiter. “Our mission remains the same: to curate collections of information for the benefit and use of our patrons.”
For more information about AALL’s Marian Gould Gallagher Distinguished Service Award, visit bit.ly/AALL-gallagher.
About Richard Leiter
Richard A. Leiter, director of the Schmid Law Library and the Marvin & Virginia Schmid Foundation and professor of law at the University of Nebraska College of Law, has made enduring contributions to legal information services and legal research education. Over a distinguished career that includes leadership roles at Howard University School of Law and Regent University School of Law, he has demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing the profession at the highest levels.
A prolific and influential scholar, Leiter is the author of National Survey of State Laws, a seminal reference work currently on its tenth edition, cited three times by the U.S. Supreme Court and recognized with the AALL Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award. As co-editor of Spirit of Law Librarianship, he has helped shape the intellectual foundation of the field. His extensive body of work—including books, articles, and contributions to major law library publications—continues to inform research practices and professional standards.
Leiter’s innovative approach to legal information earned him recognition in the Fastcase 50 in 2014 for his pioneering work in citation analysis and legal information retrieval. He has also enriched professional dialogue as the longtime host of Law Librarian Conversations, creating space for thoughtful discussion across the community.
His service to AALL spans decades and reflects deep and sustained engagement. He has held multiple significant leadership roles on the AALL Awards Committee, including Chair (2023–2024), and served as Member, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Government Relations Committee. His additional contributions to the Law Library Journal and AALL Spectrum Committee, the AALLNET Committee, and several others underscore his broad and lasting impact. Regionally, his leadership in the Mid-America Association of Law Libraries further reflects his dedication to strengthening the profession.
In 2020, he received the Frederick Charles Hicks Award for Outstanding Contributions to Academic Law Librarianship, recognizing his scholarship, service, and ability to bring people together in meaningful ways.
Equally significant is his commitment to mentorship. As one nominator noted, “Richard once created a post-graduation opportunity for a student uncertain about pursuing law librarianship, offering hands-on experience across nearly every department of the Schmid Law Library. That experience proved transformative—the student went on to earn a library science degree and ultimately became an academic law library director.” Stories like this reflect Leiter’s lasting influence. Over the years, he has guided and supported countless colleagues and future law librarians, many of whom have gone on to leadership roles. His legacy is evident not only in his own accomplishments, but in the careers and contributions of those he has mentored.
Emily R. Florio, Director of Knowledge Research & Resources, DLA Piper LLP (US), Washington, DC (AALL Awards Committee Chair)
