Civil Rights and Social Justice
Civil Rights and Social Justice
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VOTING RIGHTS
Working with VoteRiders, a nonpartisan nonprofit, we hosted Get Out the Vote letter-writing parties throughout the 2024 election season, bringing together 555 volunteers from DWT and our corporate partners, reaching more than 5,500 voters. The letters shared critical details regarding individual state voter identification rules and other information to ensure voters had what they needed to participate in the election.
VOTING RIGHTS
Working with VoteRiders, a nonpartisan nonprofit, we hosted Get Out the Vote letter-writing parties throughout the 2024 election season, bringing together 555 volunteers from DWT and our corporate partners, reaching more than 5,500 voters. The letters shared critical details regarding individual state voter identification rules and other information to ensure voters had what they needed to participate in the election.
Sarah Duran feels recharged every year that she volunteers as a poll monitor in Nevada.da.
We’re there to make sure that the poll workers are doing what they need to do to ensure that people actually do get to have their right to vote.
Sarah Duran feels recharged every year that she volunteers as a poll monitor in Nevada.da.
We’re there to make sure that the poll workers are doing what they need to do to ensure that people actually do get to have their right to vote.
JOURNALISTS / FIRST AMENDMENT
JOURNALISTS / FIRST AMENDMENT
ProJourn protects press independence
As local journalism endures mounting threats from economic and political forces, the imperative to stand up in defense intensifies. ProJourn is playing a crucial role.
Founded and piloted by DWT and Microsoft, ProJourn aims to promote crucial newsgathering in our communities by connecting independent journalists, nonprofit news outlets, and small newsrooms with pro bono attorneys to assist with public record requests and pre-publication review. This type of assistance is vital to investigative reporting — without it, important stories will never be told.
ProJourn is now housed at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press with crucial funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. ProJourn has a particular focus on supporting journalism that serves historically marginalized communities, audiences whose first language is not English, and rural "news deserts."
Since its inception, ProJourn has significantly expanded the pool of attorneys offering legal counsel in media law. In 2024, ProJourn broadened its services to include advising journalists and newsrooms in legal matters related to business and operations. The program has played a crucial role in a number of award-winning news stories and the DWT-Microsoft collaboration was recognized last year with the “Best Client-Law Firm Team” award from American Lawyer.
ProJourn not only has served to deepen the nearly four-decade relationship between our firm and Microsoft, but also helped safeguard the future of investigative reporting, an essential pillar of our democracy.
Jaime Drozd
MANAGING PARTNER, DWT
ProJourn not only has served to deepen the nearly four-decade relationship between our firm and Microsoft, but also helped safeguard the future of investigative reporting, an essential pillar of our democracy.
Jaime Drozd
MANAGING PARTNER, DWT
Microsoft's pro bono volunteers love engaging with ProJourn and supporting journalists alongside DWT's world-class media and First Amendment attorneys. It's a unique opportunity that allows our volunteers to learn a new area of the law, build relationships with DWT counsel, and contribute to the greater good.
Beth Henderson
ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL, PRO BONO, MICROSOFT
One year after negotiating a breakthrough settlement agreement with the New York City Police Department on behalf of five photojournalists who were arrested and/or assaulted during the racial justice protests of 2020, the DWT team that shepherded the case received the National Press Photographers Association First Amendment Award. The settlement requires the police department to implement policies and trainings designed to ensure that members of the press are free from the threat of wrongful arrest and harassment.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Nimra Azmi | Rob Balin | Megan Duffy | Abigail Everdell | Kathleen Farley | Jean Fundakowski | Alexandra Settelmayer
Representing The War Horse, a nonprofit newsroom reporting on “the human impact of military service,” DWT attorneys Chad Darcy and David Nordlinger, working with Thomas R. Burke, prevailed on summary judgment in an important FOIA case. The ruling compels the Marine Corps to turn over records reflecting decades of officer misconduct, known as the “Black Book.”
DWT also is representing The War Horse in a separate lawsuit to compel each branch of the military to turn over court-martial records that will help determine how many service members were convicted for consensual sex or other charges that criminalized their sexual orientation. “Hopefully this lawsuit will make it easier for thousands of service members to receive some measure of recognition for how they were unfairly treated and also allow the public to fully appreciate the scale of this injustice,” DWT attorney Joel Richert said.
Representing The War Horse, a nonprofit newsroom reporting on “the human impact of military service,” DWT attorneys Chad Darcy and David Nordlinger, working with Thomas R. Burke, prevailed on summary judgment in an important FOIA case. The ruling compels the Marine Corps to turn over records reflecting decades of officer misconduct, known as the “Black Book.”
DWT also is representing The War Horse in a separate lawsuit to compel each branch of the military to turn over court-martial records that will help determine how many service members were convicted for consensual sex or other charges that criminalized their sexual orientation. “Hopefully this lawsuit will make it easier for thousands of service members to receive some measure of recognition for how they were unfairly treated and also allow the public to fully appreciate the scale of this injustice,” DWT attorney Joel Richert said.
Leena Charlton, working with Thomas R. Burke, won a summary judgment motion on behalf of the nonprofit news site The Appeal. Charlton successfully made the case that the U.S. Department of Justice failed to make public a comprehensive database of all deaths — federal, state, and local — that occur in law-enforcement custody or within correctional facilities. The court in October agreed with our team that many of the exemptions that the DOJ cited to justify withholding these records did not apply, and ordered both sides to come to an agreement regarding any limited redactions that remain.
Eric Stahl and Caesar Kalinowski IV reached a successful settlement in a Freedom of Information Act on behalf of the Human Rights Defense Center after winning multiple rounds of summary judgment against the U.S. Department of Justice.
Caesar Kalinowski IV and Thomas R. Burke reached a successful settlement in a FOIA case on behalf of an investigator-reporter against the Central Intelligence Agency after forcing the agency to produce hundreds of previously-classified records related to the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty by Israeli forces.
Representing Voice of San Diego, a nonprofit investigative newsroom, Alex Cadena compelled the International Boundary and Water Commission to reveal previously withheld records related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s construction of a border wall along the Tijuana River, on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Eric Stahl and Caesar Kalinowski IV reached a successful settlement in a Freedom of Information Act on behalf of the Human Rights Defense Center after winning multiple rounds of summary judgment against the U.S. Department of Justice.
Caesar Kalinowski IV and Thomas R. Burke reached a successful settlement in a FOIA case on behalf of an investigator-reporter against the Central Intelligence Agency after forcing the agency to produce hundreds of previously-classified records related to the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty by Israeli forces.
Representing Voice of San Diego, a nonprofit investigative newsroom, Alex Cadena compelled the International Boundary and Water Commission to reveal previously withheld records related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s construction of a border wall along the Tijuana River, on the U.S.-Mexico border.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS
DWT is leading an historic case representing Hannah Kamke, an upstate New York woman who went to a "crisis pregnancy center" seeking medical care, but ultimately was misled and mistreated. The abuse against women seeking reproductive health care continues, and this ongoing case against CompassCare could lead to better transparency and, most importantly, better health outcomes for women.
DWT LAWYERS
Nimra Azmi | Katherine Bolger | Alexandra Settelmayer | Rachel Strom
WOMEN'S RIGHTS
DWT is leading an historic case representing Hannah Kamke, an upstate New York woman who went to a "crisis pregnancy center" seeking medical care, but ultimately was misled and mistreated. The abuse against women seeking reproductive health care continues, and this ongoing case against CompassCare could lead to better transparency and, most importantly, better health outcomes for women.
DWT LAWYERS
Nimra Azmi | Katherine Bolger | Alexandra Settelmayer | Rachel Strom
DWT began working with Choice Tracker, an online voting and policy guide, to analyze existing and proposed legislation regarding reproductive health, translating the bills into simple terms so descriptions can be placed on the organization’s website. We helped review bills for North Carolina and Kansas, which were publicized on their site. In addition, during a Media, Entertainment, Patent, Trademark, and Advertising practice group retreat, 70 of our attorneys summarized 200 reproductive rights bills for Choice Tracker.
DWT began working with Choice Tracker, an online voting and policy guide, to analyze existing and proposed legislation regarding reproductive health, translating the bills into simple terms so descriptions can be placed on the organization’s website. We helped review bills for North Carolina and Kansas, which were publicized on their site. In addition, during a Media, Entertainment, Patent, Trademark, and Advertising practice group retreat, 70 of our attorneys summarized 200 reproductive rights bills for Choice Tracker.
LGBTQIA+
Volunteers from DWT and Microsoft, in partnership with Legal Counsel for Youth & Children, participated in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) clinics and name-change clinics throughout the year. The SIJS clinics were the first of their kind, leveraging Microsoft technology to help draft pleadings for Vulnerable Youth Guardian petitions on behalf of youth who are unable to reunite with their parents due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect. During the name-change clinics, volunteers assisted with drafting petitions for youth seeking to have their names changed to align with their gender identity.
DWT VOLUNTEERS
Matthew Gurr | Adrianna Gutierrez | Theo Lesczynski | Kevin Pasternak | Megan Raymond | Jessica Yi
LGBTQIA+
Volunteers from DWT and Microsoft, in partnership with Legal Counsel for Youth & Children, participated in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) clinics and name-change clinics throughout the year. The SIJS clinics were the first of their kind, leveraging Microsoft technology to help draft pleadings for Vulnerable Youth Guardian petitions on behalf of youth who are unable to reunite with their parents due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect. During the name-change clinics, volunteers assisted with drafting petitions for youth seeking to have their names changed to align with their gender identity.
DWT VOLUNTEERS
Matthew Gurr | Adrianna Gutierrez | Theo Lesczynski | Kevin Pasternak | Megan Raymond | Jessica Yi
As the mother of a trans daughter, DWT attorney Sheehan Sullivan takes personal interest in her project to help draft a know-your-rights handbook for trans youth in the Pacific Northwest:
I just think it’s really critical to provide the support to our trans community so that they know where to go and what to do, and at least have a road map.
As the mother of a trans daughter, DWT attorney Sheehan Sullivan takes personal interest in her project to help draft a know-your-rights handbook for trans youth in the Pacific Northwest:
I just think it’s really critical to provide the support to our trans community so that they know where to go and what to do, and at least have a road map.
In recognition of Pride Month, the Pro Bono & Social Impact Department partnered with DWT’s PRIDE Employee Resource Group to support LGBTQIA+ communities.
Volunteers from our Anchorage office, in partnership with Choosing Our Roots, helped set up a new apartment for the Bridge Housing Program, which provides housing for LGBTQIA+ adults.
DWT volunteers in Seattle and Portland participated in Habitat for Humanity’s Pride Community Days, building affordable housing in Seattle and organizing ReStore, a nonprofit home improvement donation center in Portland.
In Washington, D.C., volunteers assembled 280 hygiene kits that the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center distributed to youth experiencing homelessness.
PRISONER / CIVIL RIGHTS
The Washington Innocence Project recognized Darrah Hinton and Gillian Murphy as two of its 2024 Agents of Impact. Over several months, the attorneys consulted to help the organization navigate a series of unfamiliar and complex legal issues.
PRISONER / CIVIL RIGHTS
The Washington Innocence Project recognized Darrah Hinton and Gillian Murphy as two of its 2024 Agents of Impact. Over several months, the attorneys consulted to help the organization navigate a series of unfamiliar and complex legal issues.
Darrah and Gillian devoted countless hours, flexibly working with us to ensure we found the solutions we needed. Their patience, understanding, and commitment to our organization gave us peace of mind, allowing our team to focus on our core mission of addressing wrongful convictions. As a small nonprofit with a staff of just eight employees, their support was invaluable in helping us face challenges and strengthen our ability to continue serving our clients.
John Marlow
LITIGATION DIRECTOR, Washington Innocence Project
A criminal record can significantly hinder someone’s ability to move forward in life — even a conviction for a minor non-violent offense from decades ago. It can impact someone’s ability to secure employment, stable housing, and benefits, all of which are crucial to an individual’s livelihood. In 2024, DWT took proactive steps to support individuals in overcoming legal barriers to rejoining their communities.
Jim Greenfield and Adam Sgro successfully helped clear convictions for a client in Washington state as part of DWT’s ongoing partnership with the King County Bar Association’s Records Project, as have other DWT teams. The Records Project assists individuals with vacating their eligible criminal convictions.
Melanie Broome and Kevin Kono led efforts to help a client of the Oregon Law Center clear a misdemeanor theft conviction, creating new job opportunities for a woman who had been charged with theft for stealing groceries — her only conviction.
22 volunteers from our corporate partners, including Amazon and Mondalez, contributed their time at two legal clinics, drafting petitions and declarations to support individuals seeking to address prior criminal records.
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP
Ability, integrity, and service to others – these are the three pillars on which Davis Wright Tremaine was built. As our founding partner once famously said, “…unless we are serving mankind to the top extent of our ability and putting our best talent into that service, what good is life?”
Learn More at DWT.COM
CONTENTS
What We Do and Why >
The Power of Partnerships >
Civil Rights and Social Justice >
- Voting Rights
- Journalists/First Amendment
- Women’s Rights
- LGBTQIA+
- Prisoner/Civil Rights
Advocacy for Underserved Communities >
- Veterans
- Homelessness Prevention
- DV Protection
- Immigration
Awards and Recognition >
Our Pro Bono & Social Impact Team >
CONTENTS
What We Do and Why >
The Power of Partnerships >
Civil Rights and Social Justice >
- Voting Rights
- Journalists/First Amendment
- Women’s Rights
- LGBTQIA+
- Prisoner/Civil Rights
Advocacy for Underserved Communities >
- Veterans
- Homelessness Prevention
- DV Protection
- Immigration
Awards and Recognition >
Our Pro Bono & Social Impact Team >
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP
Ability, integrity, and service to others – these are the three pillars on which Davis Wright Tremaine was built. As our founding partner once famously said, “…unless we are serving mankind to the top extent of our ability and putting our best talent into that service, what good is life?”
Learn More at DWT.COM
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