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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.

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