The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs celebrated its 2015 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, June 17, 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel, 1000 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 (Metro Center).
Theodore A. Howard, Pro Bono Partner, Wiley Rein LLP, and former Co-Chair of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee; and John P. Relman, Founder and Director of Relman, Dane & Colfax PLLC and a former Committee Project Director, jointly received the 2015 Wiley A. Branton Award. The award is presented annually to members of the legal community whose lifetime efforts on behalf of civil rights advocacy mirror the deep commitment to equal justice exemplified by legendary civil rights attorney Wiley A. Branton, Sr..
The Committee’s 2015 Vincent E. Reed Award was presented to the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, for the firm’s commitment and contributions to public education in the District of Columbia. This award, presented by DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, is given in the name of distinguished educator Dr. Vincent Reed for commitment and unique contributions to improving public education in the District of Columbia.
The American Council of the Blind received the 2015 Alfred McKenzie Award, named for the former Tuskegee Airman and lead plaintiff in a successful class action brought by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee challenging racial discrimination. The award recognizes Committee clients whose dedication and courage produced civil rights victories of particular significance.
The 2015 Cotter-Hall Corporate Service Award was presented to Richard Rome, Executive Vice President & Co-Regional Manager of commercial real estate services firm Savills Studley. This award is given to a member of the business community who has made notable contributions to the cause of civil rights and public education in our community.
In addition, a number of area law firms were honored for their outstanding work with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee over the past year.
The annual Branton Awards Luncheon is the Committee’s primary event recognizing the outstanding achievements of individuals, clients and organizations that have worked closely with the Committee over many years. Approximately 1,000 people, including government officials and representatives from law firms, businesses, foundations, and other non-profits attended the event.
To view more photos, including Outstanding Achievement Awards to firms, click here.