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Dear <<Salutation>>,
In July of last year, I had the honor of succeeding the iconic Rod Boggs as executive director of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee. Just prior to taking on that role, I joined many of you at the 2016 Wiley A. Branton Award Luncheon. I look forward to joining you again on June 7th, when we convene to celebrate the last year and honor those that have made an important difference in the cause of civil rights.
Our ability to make a difference would not be possible without the generous contributions of our supporters. Sponsorships, tables, and tickets are still available here. Please also see a list of our generous sponsors at the end of this newsletter.
Jonathan Smith
Executive Director, Washington Lawyers' Committee
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If you or someone you know has experienced any act of hate or bias because of their race, gender, national origin, religion, or disability, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee is ready to help. Please contact us at 202-319-1000. Click here for more information.
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$7.5 Million Walmart Class Action Settlement
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Prior to 2014, Walmart did not offer health insurance to same-sex spouses of its employees. That meant Jackie Cote could not insure her wife Dee, who passed away in March 2016 after battling ovarian cancer. Due to Walmart’s policy, Jackie and Dee endured more than $150,000 in medical expenses, calls from bill collectors, and many long nights up worrying.
This month, a federal judge approved the $7.5 million class action settlement benefiting Ms. Cote and a class of Walmart associates in the United States and Puerto Rico who were unable to obtain health insurance coverage for their same-sex spouses from Walmart from 2011 through 2013. Cote v. Wal-Mart is the first class action filed on behalf of gay workers since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. The action began when the GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed a complaint on Ms. Cote’s behalf with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2014. The EEOC determined that Walmart’s treatment of Ms. Cote constituted unlawful sex discrimination and issued a right to sue letter. Former Washington Lawyers’ Committee Deputy Litigation Director Peter Romer-Friedman and the team at Outten & Golden were pivotal in obtaining the groundbreaking settlement. The outstanding settlement also would not have been possible without the resources and litigation expertise of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP.
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Sanctuary School Guidance
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DC Attorney General Karl Racine issued guidance to DC schools regarding their obligation to ensure that immigrant children have equal access to and education in an environment free of unnecessary fear of deportation. Several Mayer Brown attorneys, led by Alex Lakatos and Emily Horn, along with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee’s Kent Withycombe, provided assistance to AG Racine in drafting the guidance. Please share it widely with your networks.
As Racine noted, “DC schools serve students from at least 160 countries, and their well-being is essential to the entire District….Regardless of citizenship or immigration status, we are all afforded certain rights under the Constitution, as well as under District and federal laws—and all children have the right to a free primary and secondary education.”
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Civil rights leader Bayard Rustin once said, “The proof that one truly believes is in action.” We are immensely grateful for the actions taken by our 2017 honorees:
This year’s Branton Award will be presented by Representative John Lewis to former Attorney General Eric J. Holder, Jr. for his career of service to the cause of civil rights and equal justice.
Thomas S. Williamson Jr., a dear friend of the Committee and passionate advocate for racial justice and civil rights, died far too young earlier this year. He will be remembered with the inaugural Rod Boggs Award for sustained commitment to the Committee and its clients.
ONE DC will receive the Alfred McKenzie Award for its dedication and courage in organizing communities to fight displacement and racial segregation in the District, and also for its collaboration with the Committee on groundbreaking litigation.
For 21 years, the U.S. Courts for the D.C. Circuit has maintained a partnership with J.O. Wilson Elementary School. We will recognize the Court’s commitment to tutoring and mentoring countless students with the Vincent E. Reed Award.
Finally, we partnered with dozens of firms, businesses, and organizations this year–each made a meaningful difference. Eleven stand out for their outstanding achievements: Akin Gump Hauer Strauss & Feld LLP, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, Bread for the City, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Outten & Golden LLP, Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, Perkins Coie LLP, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and Veris Consulting, Inc.
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