(Washington, DC) Don Saunders, NLADA’s Senior Vice President for Policy, issued the following statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens:
“Our nation has lost a giant in the fight for equal justice. Justice Stevens was an inspiration to the entire legal community, as he was committed to ensuring that the administration of justice was fair to everyone, regardless of race, color, creed or income.
“In 2010, NLADA created and bestowed its first Lifetime Achievement Award, the Justice John Paul Stevens Award, to honor not only Justice Stevens and his distinguished career, but also his steadfast dedication to equality.
“In his nearly 35 years on the bench of the U.S. Supreme Court, he continuously safeguarded the rights of every American, and wrote some crucial landmark decisions, such as Tennessee v Lane, protecting access to courthouses for people with disabilities, Atkins v. Virginia, ending the cruel practice of executing those with intellectual disabilities and Brown v Legal Foundation of Washington, preserving the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts program.
“NLADA sends its deepest sympathies and respects to Justice Stevens' family.”