WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equal Justice Works today
announced this year's recipients of its annual awards for outstanding
contributions to the field of public interest law.
Former Senator George Mitchell (www.dlapiper.com/george_mitchell/) will
receive the Scales of Justice Award for his personal commitment to public
service throughout his career. Sen. Mitchell remained dedicated to public
service at home and abroad during his service as the U.S. Attorney for the
state of Maine, as a U.S. District Court Judge, and later as U.S. Senator and
Majority Leader. Today, as Partner and Chairman of the Global Board at DLA
Piper, Sen. Mitchell is devoted to inspiring the next generation of lawyers to
do pro bono or public service work.
Other honorees include Harvard University School of Law Dean Elena Kagan
(www.law.harvard.edu/dean/bio.php) and Georgetown University Law Center
Professor Philip Schrag
(www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/facinfo/tab_faculty.cfm?Status=Faculty&ID=324).
Dean Kagan will receive the 2008 Dean John R. Kramer Outstanding Law School
Dean Award for her innovative, strategic approach to promoting public service
among law students. Since becoming dean of Harvard Law School in 2003, Dean
Kagan has added programs and increased institutional support to ensure that
every law student has experience working on behalf of an underserved
community. Dean Kagan implemented a mandatory pro bono program, increased the
size of the Office of Public Interest Advising, and created a revolutionary
tuition-waiver program.
As the recipient of the Outstanding Law School Faculty Award, Professor Schrag
is being recognized for his two decades of advocacy for loan repayment
assistance for public interest lawyers and other graduates who enter public
service. Last year Congress passed the College Cost Reduction & Access Act,
thanks in part to his efforts. Professor Schrag also created and directed the
Center for Applied Legal Studies for more than 25 years.
Senator Mitchell and Dean Kagan will be honored at the 2008 Equal Justice
Works Awards Dinner on October 16. Professor Schrag will be recognized at the
2008 Equal Justice Works Awards Luncheon on October 10. For more information
on these events, please visit http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/events.
SOURCE Equal Justice Works
Aaron Pickering of Equal Justice Works, +1-202-466-3686 ext. 137,
apickering@equaljusticeworks.org
