We are excited to announce that one of our clients, Cook Yancey, has received the Beacon of Justice Award.
The National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) yesterday announced that The Shreveport firm Cook Yancey is among its 2014 Beacon of Justice Award winners. The law firms honored have all devoted considerable time and resources to delivering on the mandate of Gideon v Wainwright, which fifty years ago established the right to counsel for people accused of a crime and facing a loss of liberty. Each winner has been chosen for their accomplishments in advancing Gideon’s principles through law reform or individual representation. A small sample of these successes includes the exoneration of innocent people; landmark appellate victories that promote effective representation; pardons or commutations that ameliorate the impact of unnecessarily harsh and disparate sentences; and the dedication of tens of thousands of pro bono hours that ensured that individuals received competent counsel and fair treatment under the law. “These firms truly serve as beacons of justice.” stated Jo-Ann Wallace, NLADA President and CEO. “Their achievements in advancing the cause of equal justice through pro bono generosity provide the entire legal community with a powerful example. I am so proud to have private partners that consistently demonstrate exactly what we can achieve when we work together to secure justice under the law.”
In selecting Cook Yancey, the review committee noted the firm’s use of groundbreaking and original ideas, tools, and technology to create new delivery models/initiatives that provide significant pro bono representation. They were impressed by the depth and impact of Cook Yancey’s work to advance policies and practices that provide pathways to justice and opportunity. Cook Yancey will be honored at the NLADA Exemplar Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Washington, D.C. The firm will also attend the 2014 Leadership Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, June 27th, where former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens will present the Justice John Paul Stevens Lifetime Achievement Award to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
