The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) Exemplar Awards honors members of the corporate counsel and private law firm communities that demonstrate outstanding leadership, vision, dedication and achievement in promoting and supporting equal justice in 2024. Each Exemplar honoree made invaluable commitments and contributions to pro bono and public service, and supported NLADA’s work to provide equal access to justice for all. Also presented are the Kutak-Dodds Prizes and Beacon of Justice Awards.
Exemplar Awards
The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) Exemplar Award annually honors members of the corporate counsel or private law firm communities who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, dedication and achievement in promoting and supporting equal justice. Each Exemplar honoree has made invaluable commitments and contributions to pro bono and public service and supported NLADA’s work to provide equal access to justice for all. Click HERE to see all past Exemplar awardees.
Kutak-Dodds Prizes
Each year NLADA and the Robert J. Kutak Foundation jointly awards the Kutak-Dodds Prizes to honor the accomplishments of one civil legal aid attorney and one public defender. These attorneys, through the practice of law, are reinforcing the principle and reality of justice for all under the law. Each prize carries a cash award of $10,000. The winners will be recognized on June 12th at NLADA’s annual Exemplar Awards Gala in Washington, DC. Click HERE to watch this year’s awards presentation and remarks.
Beacon of Justice Awards
NLADA’s Beacon of Justice Awards honor members of the pro bono legal community who are tireless advocates for equal justice. The 2025 Beacon of Justice Awards feature law firms addressing issues related to Civil & Human Rights. Click HERE to watch the 2024 Beacon of Justice Awards presentation and click HERE to watch the full production of last year’s winning projects.
To read the 2024 Beacon of Justice digital book featuring the pro bono projects of all 40 of last year’s winners, please click HERE.
Sponsorships
For information and sponsorship opportunities for the 2025 Exemplar Award Gala, please contact Aileen Moffatt at [email protected].
Art Auction
A highlight of the Exemplar Awards Gala each year is the Art Auction. All pieces are generously donated by artists from around the country, many of whom are local to DC, alongside artwork from incarcerated artists. Funds raised from the auction directly support NLADA’s mission of expanding access to counsel and safeguarding justice for all. The auction features artwork ranging from pastels, to oil paints, prints, glassware and more.
Exemplar Award Beacon of Justice Award Kutak-Dodds Prizes Donate Gala 2024