Thursday, June 26, 2008
14th Annual ACLU Foundation of Southern California Law Luncheon
Please join us in honoring the achievements of local attorneys working to uphold civil rights and civil liberties throughout Southern California. Our annual law luncheon, held this year at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is always a treat.
The keynote speaker this year is Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean of the University of California, Irvine’s Donald Bren School of Law.
What: 14th Annual ACLU Foundation of Southern California Law Luncheon
Where: Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90071
When: Thursday, June 26, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Tickets: Advanced tickets are required. To purchase, or to learn more about the law luncheon, send us an e-mail.
Sponsorship Opportunities: For sponsorship information, send us an e-mail.
Keynote Speaker: Erwin Chemerinsky Founding dean of the University of California, Irvine’s Donald Bren School of Law
2008 Honorees
Equal Justice Advocacy Award
Jeff Bowen
Steve Kristovich
Brad Phillips
Fadia Rafeedie
Wesley Shih
Munger Tolles & Olson LLP
First Amendment Award
Michael Chait
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
Freedom of Expression Award
Hannah Cannom
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
Humanitarian Award
Steven Archer
Robins Kaplan Miller & Cires
Legal Advocate Award
Chuck Larson
Larson & Bawden LLP
Pro Bono Advocacy Award
Steve Ellis
Nitin Reddy
Sidley Austin LLP
Pro Bono Special Service Award
Drew Norman
Sidley Austin
Racial Justice Advocacy Award
Farhad Amid
Tom Haroldson
Michael Lawson
Kevin Malcolm
Walter Mosley
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
Past Events
Stars Are Out, But Civil Liberties Shine at ACLU/SC's 2007 Bill of Rights Dinner
Photo: Academy Award-winners Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, ACLU/SC Executive Director Ramona Ripston, and actor Christine Lahti backstage at the Bill of Rights Dinner on Dec. 10. Berry presented an award to her co-star Del Toro (Photo: Gary Leonard for the ACLU/SC).
The stars were out, but civil liberties stole the spotlight at the ACLU of Southern California's annual Bill of Rights Dinner on Dec. 10. Sharing the stage with Academy Award-winners Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, director-producer Rob Reiner, and actor Christine Lahti, music visionary Kevin Liles voiced the ACLU's commitment to free speech.
"Without the work of the ACLU protecting our 1st Amendment rights, our freedom to express who we are would be in jeopardy," he said. "We must realize without our creative freedom, we may not exist, we may not be provocative, we may not create, we may not inspire."
NBA legend and businessman Earvin "Magic" Johnson wrapped Liles in a bear hug as he handed him the Bill of Rights Award.
Another honoree, Creative Artists Agency co-chairman Rick Nicita, compared his work representing actors and musicians to the ACLU's. "The ACLU didn't write the Constitution, but it's their job to see that we all live under its freedoms," he said.
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold accepted the Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and called this a "critical moment for our country." "Will Congress stand up to this president and reaffirm its own role in protecting individual freedom?" he asked.
This year's event marked the 216th anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution protecting free speech, religious liberty, and other basic American values.
"The Bill of Rights has been tattered by the war on terrorism and now we must all fight to restore it," said ACLU/SC executive director Ramona Ripston. "Americans have a fundamental choice: We can be guided by our fear of our enemies or by fidelity to our principles."
