Stinson Wins Beacon of Justice Award for Third Year in a Row

06.09.2022

Stinson LLP has been named a 2022 Beacon of Justice award winner by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), an honor bestowed upon the firm for its pro bono work to sustain racial equity and hope in 2021. This is the third year in a row the firm has won the award.

The firm deepened its commitment to antiracism efforts in 2021 through upstream, systemic projects and downstream pro bono work that addressed the impact of racist policies. These efforts account for over 6,600 hours of pro bono legal services being donated to racial equity and antiracism work, including the firm's participation in numerous antiracism trainings and involvement in Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, a partnership among more than 300 law firms.

Pro bono work last year also included criminal defense, post-conviction and expungement cases, representation of nonprofits and low-income entrepreneurs, and matters involving immigration and human rights laws. In total, the firm donated 22,405 hours to pro bono legal work in 2021.

"I am grateful to our team of attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and other staff members for the work they have done to promote racial equity in the law, helping to build a more just and equitable community for all," Managing Partner Allison Murdock said. "Our clients' stories matter, and we have been honored to serve those individuals and communities who have faced adversities posed by political and social turmoil worldwide and close to home."

The NLADA is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. The NLADA 2022 Beacon of Justice Award honors law firms for their efforts to address systematic racial disparities within their communities and/or on the national level.

Stinson's pro bono program is led by Pro Bono Committee Co-Chairs Amy Conway and Bradley Yeretsky and implemented by Pro Bono Director Theresa Hughes and Senior Pro Bono Manager Katie Cronin. The firm's pro bono strategic plan expects all partners to contribute substantially to the firm's legacy through pro bono legal work and community service, and it encourages and supports involvement from associates to paralegals to summer associates. Through pro bono, our attorneys and paralegals gain skills and invest in their communities while championing the cause of justice.