DALLAS (July 31, 2012) — Voir Dire magazine — ABOTA’s flagship publication — received the Bronze Award in the category, “Front Cover, Photograph,” from Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI), an organization of companies that support editorial and design excellence.

The award, given an industry nickname as a “Tabbie,” was for the cover of the Fall/Winter 2011 issue that featured a crocodile in a bathtub. In the background is a courthouse with a sidewalk paved with money leading up to its steps. Brent Combs, a Dallas designer who specializes in photography and illustration, created the cover concept. Combs has designed Voir Dire for anumber of years.

The judging comments included, "Great concept behind the cover. The play on words is original and the photograph was rendered very well. The small amount of yellow copy balances the strong photograph well."

The lead article featured on the cover was headlined, “Crocodiles in the Bathtub, Gorillas at the Dinner Table:  How money and politics are destroying state court appellate justice across America. The author, Annesley H. DeGaris, wrote about how appellate court justice in America is in peril in states where justices are elected rather than appointed and how money skews justice.

“With almost 500 editorial and design entries from across the globe, the Bronze Award for Voir Dire is certainly an impressive achievement, one that ABOTA members should take pride in,” said Paul J. Teney, TABPI President. “This is a considerable achievement.”