Claire Wong Black Receives Ninth Circuit’s John P. Frank Award

Aug. 20, 2026
Contact: Katherine Rodriguez
mediarelease@ce9.uscourts.gov

Hawaii attorney Claire Wong Black received the 2026 John P. Frank Award on July 20, the opening day of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference held in Bellevue, Washington.

Melinda Haag, former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California and current chair of the Ninth Circuit Advisory Board, presented the award, noting that it serves as “our Circuit’s Lawyer’s Lawyer award,” given by the Advisory Board to recognize service to justice and the courts. In her remarks, Haag said Black “is clearly someone who is well known, widely known, and held in the highest esteem in her community.”

Quoting from Black’s nomination letter, Haag observed that “Claire is one of those people who, despite being incredibly busy with clients, manages to continually find time to provide important assistance to the court and to her community.” That assistance takes many forms: Black serves on the district court’s pro bono panel, volunteers annually with its civic education program, and works with the court’s newly created historical society. She also sits on the board of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society, serves on the district court’s local rules committee, and holds a leadership role in the local Federal Bar Association chapter, among other contributions.

Accepting the award, Black reflected on the honor with characteristic humility. “This recognition is far too generous, as I have received so much more than I have given,” she said. “It’s a real privilege and joy to practice in the Ninth Circuit and in Hawaii, before judges who are devoted to the community they serve and committed to the professional development of its lawyers.” She added, “I was incredibly moved to learn who all were involved in this, and especially by your words.”

The Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit established the award in 2003 at the recommendation of the Ninth Circuit Advisory Board, a group of experienced attorneys who advise on circuit governance issues. It bears the name of the late John P. Frank, a renowned Phoenix attorney whose 62-year career included more than 500 appeals argued before the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, other federal circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.