John Pickering is the 2002 recipient of the Robert F. Drinan Distinguished Service Award from the American Bar Association's Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities. The award recognized individuals whose sustained commitment to the ABA section has advanced its mission of providing leadership to the legal profession in protecting and advancing human rights, civil liberties, and social justice. It was created last year to honor Drinan, a past chair of the ABA section, former member of Congress, and professor at Georgetown University Law Center.