O'Melveny Receives The National Legal Aid and Defender Association's 2015 Beacon of Justice Award

July 01, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Amber Burke
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
415.984.8891
aburke@omm.com  

WASHINGTON, DC — June 30, 2015 — O’Melveny & Myers LLP has received the National Legal Aid & Defender Association’s Beacon of Justice Award for the second year running. The award honors law firms whose pro bono practices have expanded opportunities for low-income individuals and other vulnerable populations unable to afford or access legal counsel.

“We are delighted to acknowledge the depth and impact of your pro bono work to advance policies and practices that provide pathways to justice,” the NLADA said. “The review committee was genuinely impressed by your firm’s devotion of significant time and resources to increasing access to opportunity for the underserved.”

As one of the NLADA’s 2015 award recipients, the Firm was honored at the organization’s Exemplar Awards Dinner in Washington, DC on June 23. More than 500 private attorneys, general counsel and equal justice advocates came together to celebrate the work of the night’s honorees.

The Firm was recognized for its work representing individuals seeking assistance and relief from various government entities in the areas of immigration, public benefits, and Holocaust survivor reparations. Working with Bet Tzedek Legal Services, O'Melveny has helped to coordinate and grow a nationwide project to assist Holocaust survivors in obtaining reparations from the German government, partnering with the organization in various cities. In New York, for example, O'Melveny helped lead an effort involving more than 30 law firms to provide pro bono assistance to thousands of Holocaust survivors applying for reparations. Helping clients navigate another complex legal landscape, O'Melveny has assisted immigrants of all ages seeking relief and asylum, and has been one of the firms at the forefront of the national discussion about how to respond to the crisis posed by immigrant children crossing the border from various countries in Central America. The Firm also works with legal service organizations from coast to coast to represent disabled individuals in administrative hearings to obtain much-needed public benefits.

About The National Legal Aid & Defender Association
Founded in 1911, NLADA is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to ensuring excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. For 100 years, NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state and local levels through the creation of many of the first public defense systems in the country, creation of the concept of a national center to protect the right to counsel, development of nationally applicable standards for legal representation, and ground-breaking legal legislation. NLADA serves as the collective voice for our country’s civil legal aid and public defender services and provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance.

About O’Melveny & Myers LLP
With approximately 700 lawyers in 15 offices worldwide, O’Melveny & Myers LLP helps industry leaders across a broad array of sectors manage the complex challenges of succeeding in the global economy. We are a values-driven law firm, guided by the principles of excellence, leadership, and citizenship. Our commitment to these values is reflected in our dedication to improving access to justice through pro bono work and championing initiatives that increase the diversity of the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.omm.com.

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