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
NLADA is pleased to announce that Ben Weinberg, the Pro Bono Partner at Dentons, will be honored with the 2025 NLADA Exemplar Award for his extraordinary leadership and efforts in managing the substantial pro bono programs at Dentons and working as an advocate for pro bono work at firms across the country are a shining example of championing the rights of the less fortunate. For more information click HERE.
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 at NLADA’s annual Exemplar Awards Gala in Washington, DC.
The 2025 Kutak-Dodds Prize winners are Natalie Epps, Deputy Chief, Parole Division at Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (Defender) and Michael Figgins, Executive Director of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (Civil). To learn more click here.
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 recognize law firms addressing issues related to “Sustaining Equal Justice for Families & Communities” for work done in 2024.
The 2025 Beacon of Justice Awards honorees include: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, BakerHostetler LLP, Baker McKenzie, Beveridge & Diamond PC, Crowell & Moring LLP, Dechert LLP, Dentons US LLP, DLA Piper LLP (US), Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, Fried Frank LLP, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Hanson Bridgett LLP, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, HSF Kramer, Husch Blackwell, Jenner & Block LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C., Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Nixon Peabody LLP, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, Steptoe LLP, Stinson LLP, Wiley Rein LLP, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Yetter Coleman LLP, and Zuckerman Spaeder LLP.
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
Click HERE for this year’s sponsorship levels and benefits. For more information and sponsorship opportunities for the 2025 Exemplar Award Gala, please contact Kate Denman at [email protected]. Click Here for a current list of sponsors who help make the Gala possible.
Chairman’s Circle Spotlight
Thank you to this year’s Chairman’s Circle sponsor NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG.
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