ACLU Foundation of Southern California Honors Pro Bono Attorneys, Advocates At Annual Law Luncheon
Thursday, June 19, 2003
LOS ANGELES – On Thursday, June 19, 2003, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., the ACLU Foundation of Southern California will host its Ninth Annual Law Luncheon honoring thirteen attorneys whose skill, passion and vision have significantly contributed to protecting the Bill of Rights. The Luncheon will be held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, on 506 S. Grand Ave., in downtown Los Angeles.
“Whether standing up for the rights of immigrants, women, gays and lesbians, the homeless, the poor, foster children, or the separation of church and state, all of this year’s honorees have done outstanding work and contributed to preserving our civil liberties,” said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California.
This year’s honorees include:
Children’s Advocate Award
Earlier this year, the ACLU of Southern California together with a coalition of public interest groups, including the law firm of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, settled a groundbreaking lawsuit challenging the deplorable mental health services for dependent children in Los Angeles County’s child-welfare system. Thanks in large part to the work of Ronald Peterson and Carlyle Hall III of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, dependent children in Los Angeles will receive the mental health services they are entitled to. For their time and dedication to the Katie A. v. Bonta case, the ACLU of Southern California is proud to honor Ronald Peterson and Carlyle Hall III with the Children’s Advocate Award.
Pro Bono Advocate of the Year
For his outstanding work on three cases, the ACLU/SC will honor Douglas E. Mirell of the law firm Loeb & Loeb. Doug’s work on Fashion 21 v. Garment Workers Center, People v. Stanistreet, and Justin v. City of Los Angeles brought attention to important free speech issues: the rights of immigrant workers to organize and speak out against unfair employment practices, of citizens to file complaints against police officers, and of homeless people to live without fear of harassment from the police. His selfless donation of time and expertise has been critical in helping the ACLU/SC fight these important First Amendment battles. We are proud to honor Douglas E. Mirell with the Pro Bono Advocate of the Year award.
Free Speech/LGBT Award
In recognition of their outstanding work on the Adams v. SCPC case, the ACLU/SC is proud to honor Linda Burrows & David Dinelli of the firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, and William Charron at O’Melveny & Myers. Their work on the landmark Adams case has
brought attention to the government’s suppression of First Amendment activity of gay and lesbian people at the 2001 South Counties Placement Conference where Dr. Laura was the keynote speaker. Linda, David, and William represented protestors prevented from entering the conference’s auditorium for wearing “Stop Dr. Laura” t-shirts. The ACLU/SC is proud to present the Free Speech/LGBT Award to Linda Burrows, David Dinelli and William Charron.
Lifetime Achievement Award
William S. Lerach of the law firm Milberg, Weiss, Bershad, Hynes & Lerach has been fighting corporate corruption and greed long before the Enron scandal story broke. He has demonstrated the power of litigation to force needed changes in corporate governance that government agencies cannot be relied upon to accomplish. His bold and creative strategies have established judicial landmarks that will stand for many years to come. The ACLU of Southern California is proud to present William S. Lerach
with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Legal Journalism Award
For her groundbreaking work as Editor of the Daily Journal, the ACLU/SC will honor Katrina Dewey. Under her leadership, the paper has redirected its focus towards hard- hitting investigative reporting, especially in the Journal’s coverage of deplorable
conditions in the foster care system and serious lapses in the state’s provision of basic educational necessities to its public school students. In addition, the Daily Journal’s in-depth analysis of precedent-setting court rulings are an invaluable resource and many of the paper’s ground-breaking stories have generated articles in the mainstream media. The ACLU/SC is proud to present Katrina Dewey with the Legal Journalism Award.
First Amendment Award
For their work on Fashion 21 v. Garment Workers Center and People v. Stanistreet, the ACLU/SC honors Orit Michiel & Karen Thorland with the firm Loeb & Loeb. Orit’s work on the Fashion 21 case has brought attention to the right of immigrant workers to
organize and speak out against unfair employment practices. Karen’s work on the Stanistreet case helped focus attention on the issue of citizen complaints against police officers. Both Orit and Karen were instrumental in helping us seek protection for the First Amendment and we are proud to present them with the First Amendment Award.
Poverty Law Award
The issue of homelessness in Los Angeles has drawn increased attention in the past year. Without the help of attorneys like Negin Mirmirani of the firm Loeb & Loeb, we would not be able to continue our advocacy on behalf of the area’s homeless population. For her work on the Justin v. City of Los Angeles case we honor Negin Mirmirani. Her work has brought attention to the right of the homeless to be free of harassment from the police and we are proud to present her with the Poverty Law Award.
Distinguished Professor Award
It is with great joy that the ACLU of Southern California presents the Distinguished Professor Award to Catherine Fisk, professor at Loyola Law School. For her work in the Pasadena school case and for helping crafting a policy position supporting Mark Kasky against the Nike corporation. We also recognize all that she has done on behalf of unions and worker’s rights, and, of course, her service on the ACLU/SC board of directors.
Special Service Award
Throughout the past several years, David Moring has counseled the ACLU on employment law issues. He never failed to respond promptly and thoroughly with expert advice that takes into account not only current law, but our status as a non-profit organization. In addition to legal issues that require immediate advice, he helped
improve our employment procedures, and spent a very considerable amount of time assisting in revising our Employee Handbook. For his tireless work, we present the Special Service Award to David Moring.
Pro Bono Program of the Year Award
The firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy has a proud tradition of pro bono service. The firm’s program allows first year associates to spend up to nine weeks at a public interest organization of their choice. We at the ACLU/SC benefitted directly through the superb work of Milbank, Tweed’s associate, Rick Baker. Rick worked on a variety of issues, including two of our landmark class action cases: Williams v. California, which challenges the State of California for failing to provide students with basic educational necessities, and Katie A. v. Bonta, which addresses the plight of foster case children in need of mental health services. Rick also worked on First Amendment, lesbian and gay rights, homeless, and discrimination in education issues. We are pleased to honor Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy with the Pro Bono Program of the Year Award.
Tickets start at $150. Proceeds from the event go towards the ACLU Foundation’s watchdog efforts. For ticket information call, 213/977-5267.
Journalists interested in covering the event should contact the ACLU/SC’s media relations office, 213/977-9500 x.252.
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