In October 2007, United State Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (Ret.) received the inaugural Transparent Courthouse® Award for a lifetime of work to promote excellence in America's courts.

IAALS Executive Director Rebecca Love Kourlis introduced Justice O'Connor during a dinner attended by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, American Bar Association President-Elect Tommy Wells, and leaders from the judicial, legal, and academic community in Colorado and throughout the nation. Justice O'Connor also addressed students at the University of Denver.

This yearly event and award is now known as the Rebuilding Justice Award Dinner.