ACLU Foundation of Southern California Honors Pro Bono Attorneys, Advocates At Annual Law Luncheon
Thursday, June 17, 2004
LOS ANGELES – On Tuesday, June 29, 2004, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., the ACLU Foundation of Southern California will host its Tenth Annual Law Luncheon honoring 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:
Public Service Award:
Larry Feldman will receive the Public Service Award for his continued fight on behalf of
civil rights and civil liberties. For years Mr. Feldman has been a friend and ally to the
ACLU Foundation of Southern California. We have always been able to count on his
support. Mr. Feldman has built an incredibly successful career, while always
remembering to give back. He has won the largest settlement in an employment
discrimination lawsuit, and has held the important position of President of the Los
Angeles Country Bar Association. The ACLU of Southern California is thrilled to honor
him.
Pro Bono Civil Liberties Award:
Larry Stein of Alschuler, Grossman, Stein & Kahan will receive the Pro Bono Civil
Liberties Award for his longtime commitment to civil liberties and equal justice for all.
Since the beginning of his career as an attorney, he has shown a strong commitment to
pro bono work and to the concept of "giving back" to the community. As founder and
past President of Public Counsel, a firm with which the ACLU works closely, he created
the largest pro bono law firm in the country dedicated to helping low income people seek
justice. As an active member of both Bet Tzedek and the Drop-In Center, Mr. Stein has
show his personal commitment to helping underrepresented people in our community.
His pro bono efforts are truly worthy of being honored, and we are thrilled to pay tribute
to him.
Civil Liberties Advocate Award:
As a Natural Resources Defense Council Senior Attorney, Albert H. Meyerhoff has
fought to protect our land, water and air from harmful chemicals and pesticides by
calling for new environmental guidelines and standards. As a successful partner at the
prestigious law firm Milberg, Weiss, Bershad, Hynes & Lerach he has made it a priority
to file many lawsuits that benefit the community on both a national and international
level. He has an impressive record of success in the fight against the corporate
corruption and greed that has destroyed the lives of so many people. Along with
demonstrating the power of litigation to force needed changes in corporate governance
that government agencies cannot be relied upon to accomplish, Mr. Meyerhoff has
taken on major corporations on behalf of workers. He has brought attention to the
substandard living conditions, violent treatment, malnutrition and other health problems
faced by many workers in foreign countries. His commitment to these important issues
is strong, and we are honored to pay tribute to him with the Civil Liberties Advocate
Award.
Distinguished Professor Award:
William Rubenstein of UCLA School of Law will be presented with the Distinguished
Professors Award for Civil Liberties Education for his career as an inspirational teacher
and civil rights activist. As an expert on sexuality and law, his work with gay law and the
rights of gay and lesbian people, and those suffering from AIDS and HIV have been
influential in the fight for equality. As a professor, he has continually strived to teach his
students and others the importance of civil rights and civil liberties. He has inspired his
students, and continues to inspire all of us at the ACLU of Southern California. We are
honored to present Professor Rubenstein with the Distinguished Professors Award for
Civil Liberties Education.
First Amendment Award:
Steve Rohde of Rohde & Victoroff will be presented with the First Amendment Award for
his tireless work as a constitutional lawyer. Mr. Rohde's commitment to protect the Bill
of Rights is truly honorable. Yet it is his unwavering fight to ensure that the full benefits
of the First Amendment are received by all that goes unmatched. Whether it is
speaking on behalf of the ACLU, writing articles and books, or speaking at various
events, his name has become synonymous with the fight for free speech for all. On top
of all of this, he manages to have time to serve as the President of the Beverly Hills Bar
Association. It is an honor to present Steve Rohde with the First Amendment Award.
Judicial Conscience Award:
Both on and off the bench, Judge William Norris has fiercely advocated for civil rights
and civil liberties, including passionate defense of First Amendment rights, early
championship of gay rights, longstanding protection of race-based civil rights, and
committed opposition to the imposition of the death penalty. In one of his most famous
opinions, Watkins v. United States Army, Judge Norris ruled in 1988 that army
regulations that categorically barred gay men and lesbians from military service violated
the constitutional guarantee of equal protection of the law. All of us know the tortured
history that has followed Judge Norris's decision; Judge Norris himself has publicly
decried the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy enforced many years later under President
Clinton. We are proud to honor Judge William Norris with the Judicial Conscience
Award.
Student Advocate Award:
Alan Gleitsman is the inaugural recipient of the Student Advocate Award and we feel
there is no one more deserving. The law students who work for the ACLU of Southern
California every summer give up high-paying opportunities at some of the country's
most prestigious law firms. Mr. Gleitsman's annual grant affords these students the
chance to work in public interest law, and to give back to their community. These
students are our next generation of civil rights attorneys, and it is his grant that helps to
shape our future leaders. We are honored to present the inaugural Student Advocate
Award to Alan Gleitsman.
Civil Liberties Advocate Award:
Robin Meadow of Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland will be presented with the Civil
Liberties Advocate Award. For years he has generously given his time and
support to the ACLU. He is a valued member of both the Legal Committee and the
Foundation Board. And on top of all this and his successful career, he still has time to
be the President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is the type of lawyer
who we at the ACLU look up to: a lawyer who gives back. The ACLU of Southern
California is thrilled to honor Robin Meadow.
Children's Advocate Award
Miriam Krinsky of the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles will receive the Children's
Advocate Award for her relentless fight on behalf of children. Her involvement in Katie
A. v. Bonta was a crucial part to its ultimate success. She was instrumental in forging a
settlement in the case, and her name and reputation brought a strong credibility to all
that we were fighting to achieve. Her ability to bring all of the parties together in order to
form a resolution that was beneficial to the children in Los Angeles County foster care
was a true testament to her commitment to children. We are honored to present Miriam
Krinsky with the Children's Advocate Award.
Equal Justice Advocacy Award
Antonia Hernandez of the California Community Foundation will be honored with the
Equal Justice Advocacy Award. As the President and General Counsel at the Mexican
American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), she has been credited for the
creation of the legal and civic foundation responsible for a part of the significant
progress that the Latino community has made over the last twenty years. Justice Cruz
Reynoso is quoted saying that she has "been a voice of justice and freedom for
American society as a whole, not just for Latinos." The ACLU Foundation of Southern
California agrees with her supporters, and we are honored to recognize her with the
Equal Justice Advocacy Award.
Lifetime Civil Liberties Advocate Award:
Edward Medvene of Lightfoot Vendevelde, Sadawsky, Medvene & Levine will receive
the Lifetime Civil Liberties Advocate Award. Mr. Medvene has dedicated much of his
career to the fight to protect civil rights and civil liberties, and we feel lucky to have him
as an ally. He was one of the first ACLU lawyers to handle a desegregation case in Los
Angeles, and he has remained an advocate for the Bill of Rights. Everyone at the ACLU
of Southern California is proud to honor Edward Medvene with the Lifetime Civil
Liberties Advocate Award.
1st Annual Erwin Chemerinsky and Catherine Fisk Award:
Erwin Chemerinsky and Catherine Fisk are truly an exceptional pair. Their commitment
to the ACLU over the years goes unmatched. Professor Fisk, has been a dedicated
member of our Union Board where she has consistently given her time and efforts. We
were proud to be associated with her when she took a stand against Nike, and
honorably defended both her beliefs and ours. Professor Chemerinsky, has been a not
so secret weapon for us in our mission to protect civil rights and civil liberties. Whether
fighting on behalf of voters rights, the rights of immigrants to be treated with dignity and
respect, against a cruel and unusual punishment, and advancing our belief that
economic justice is one of our most critical civil liberties, you have gone above and
beyond. Professor Fisk and Professor Chemerinsky will be truly missed, Durham, North
Carolina's gain is the ACLU of Southern California's loss, but it is our hope that the spirit
of their dedication will live on through the Erwin Chemerinsky and Catherine Fisk 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.
