ACLU Announces Awardees for Pro Bono Attorney and Firm of the Year

NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the recipients of its Pro Bono Attorney of the Year and Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year awards. These honors are intended to recognize the tremendous pro bono support the ACLU receives from law firms and solo practitioners, and the years of partnership and tireless energy they have contributed in defending our civil rights and liberties.

John A. Freedman, senior pro bono counsel at Arnold & Porter, is honored as the ACLU’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for 2024. This award recognizes Freedman’s priceless contributions and exceptional insights in advocating for voting rights, disability rights, and abortion rights. In particular, we commend him for his efforts in supporting individuals with disabilities during the pandemic and for especially leading this effort in Iowa and South Carolina. In 2020, John and Arnold & Porter worked with us to challenge state laws banning mask mandates in schools on behalf of students with disabilities. The cases, and the relief we secured, were critical for these children to be able to go to school.

Covington & Burling is recognized as our Pro Bono Firm of the Year for 2024. Covington & Burling’s honor comes after years of partnership with the ACLU. The firm has contributed in a remarkable range of litigation, including First Amendment, voting rights, transgender rights, immigrants’ rights, racial justice, and criminal justice cases. Notable cases include policing cases, such as Chang v. Siskiyou County and Garces Robles v. Ramirez, a transgender justice lawsuit, Bridge v. Oklahoma State Dept. of Education, and a reproductive rights case, Preterm-Cleveland v. Yost. This also includes LWV v. Ohio Redistricting Commission and LWV v. LaRose, where Covington advocated for fair voting district maps at both the state and congressional levels. The Covington team played a crucial role in securing victories through five rounds of litigation, challenging Ohio’s state legislative maps as partisan gerrymanders in violation of the state constitution.

“The ACLU’s advocacy and litigation is made possible with the partnership of lawyers like John Freedman and law firms such as Covington & Burling who dedicate themselves to defending civil rights causes,” said David Cole, national legal director of the ACLU. “Many of our most important cases and causes are made possible by their hard work and determination. We are beyond thrilled to celebrate these remarkably talented and dedicated awardees.”