Mintz Levin Receives Domestic Violence Advocacy Award
6/17/2005
Standing in the Light of Justice Award recognizes the law firm?s commitment to ending domestic violence
WASHINGTON, DC ? This week, The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) presented Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (Mintz Levin) with a Standing in the Light of Justice Award, honoring the law firm for its long-standing commitment to ending domestic violence. For 10 years, Mintz Levin has provided full-service, pro-bono legal counsel to NNEDV, contributing more than 200,000 hours in pro-bono legal assistance.
"Mintz Levin's sound, strategic guidance has been critical in enhancing NNEDV's ability to address our nation's policy and legal responses to domestic violence," said Lynn Rosenthal, president of NNEDV. "We would not be able to play the role we have in the advocacy community without their vision and dedication."
Through its partnership with Mintz Levin, NNEDV ensures that the voices of battered women are heard in Congress, the Administration and the Supreme Court.
Mintz Levin has protected the rights of battered women in nearly a dozen landmark court cases. Most recently, the law firm submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court regarding Town of Castle Rock, CO v. Jessica Gonzales, a case where the Supreme Court will decide whether victims of domestic violence have a federal constitutional right to due process when they seek enforcement of their protective orders. Mintz Levin also provided critical guidance on how advocates can respond to the impending Supreme Court decision.
In the public policy arena, Mintz Levin has been instrumental in helping NNEDV protect victim safety and confidentiality, particularly keeping victims' identifying information out of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's homeless tracking system.
However, Mintz Levin's commitment to ending domestic violence goes beyond the office walls. Attorneys were also recognized for their personal commitments. NNEDV presented Kenneth J. Novack, Senior Counsel in Mintz Levin's Boston office, with a Standing in the Light of Justice Award for his role in initiating the partnership between the law firm and NNEDV, and for his efforts to prevent teen dating violence. In 2000, Novack co-founded the Teen Action Campaign, a campaign to actively engage teens to create an environment where violence and abuse are not accepted.
NNEDV also honored Fernando Laguarda, a Member of Mintz Levin's Washington, D.C. office and Board Chair of NNEDV's sister organization, the NNEDV Fund.
"Fernando is not just a pro-bono partner, but he has become an expert in his own right," said Rosenthal. "When he started in this work, he was just a first-year associate. His success demonstrates how involving a young lawyer in a social issue will lead to a long-term commitment both personally and professionally."
The partnership between Mintz Levin and NNEDV began in 1994, when the law firm assisted NNEDV in incorporating. Mintz Levin also provided NNEDV with an office, part-time staff person and a substantial donation to kick-off fundraising efforts. Mintz Levin continues to provide full-service support to NNEDV, including: legal guidance for operational activities; strategic counsel for outreach efforts; legislative assistance to support NNEDV's interaction with various government entities; and legal advice regarding ongoing corporate, contractual, tax and employment matters.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence a social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions, is dedicated to creating a social, political and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. For more information, please visit www.nnedv.org.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC is a multidisciplinary law firm with over 450 attorneys and senior professionals in Boston, Washington D.C., Reston, VA, New York, Stamford, CT, Los Angeles and London.
Mintz Levin is distinguished by its reputation for responsive client service and expertise in the areas of antitrust and federal regulatory; bankruptcy; business and finance; communications; employment; environmental; health care; immigration; intellectual property; litigation; public finance; real estate; tax; and trusts and estates. Mintz Levin?s international clientele range from privately held start-ups to Fortune 100 companies in a wide array of industries including biotechnology, venture capital, telecommunications, health care and high technology.
Mintz Levin was one of the first law firms to develop complementary consulting capabilities to provide complete solutions to clients? problems, including investment/wealth management, and government and public affairs.
