Central High School's Joe Gutmann to receive LBA Trailblazer Award

Joe Gutmann, Central High School Law and Government Magnet Coordinator, will be recognized today by the Louisville Bar Association as a "Trailblazer."

Each year at its Black History Month Program, the Louisville Bar Association's Diversity Committee honors an individual with the Trailblazer Award. Gutmann, is being recognized for his leadership and service in implementing the Central High School Law and Government Magnet program, which partners with the Brandeis School of Law Public Service Program.

In 2013, Joe Gutmann was recognized by the Brandeis School of Law with the Dean’s Service Award, an award given to a non-alum for commitment and service to the law school. He also won the national Street Law Educator of the Year award in 2010.

Gutmann is known for his dedication and commitment to his students ensuring that they have the tools they need to succeed.  He is a tireless advocate for his students and is well known for giving them “tough love.”

Past recipients of the Trailblazer Award include the Judge Benjamin Shobe and Senator Georgia Davis Powers.

Other awards during today's ceremony will recognize a law student with a scholarship presented by the LBA Diversity Committee and Central High School Law Magnet students who won the Justice McAnulty Essay contest.

“Walk the Walk,” a film produced by the State Bar of California’s Center for Access and Fairness, examines scenarios at a fictional law firm that, on paper, appears deeply committed to diversity. Panelists will lead a discussion about how bias in the legal workplace is still deeply-rooted but manifests itself in sometimes subtle ways.