Arnold & Porter's Stuart Land Receives Civil Rights Advocacy Award
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 11, 2004 - On Tuesday, June 8, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs presented its Wiley A. Branton Award to Arnold & Porter LLP's Stuart Land in recognition of Mr. Land's exceptional pro bono service and advocacy of civil rights. Mr. Land has long been at the forefront of Arnold & Porter's renowned pro bono program, serving as chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee on two occasions, most recently between 1997 and 2000.
"I am very grateful to the Lawyers' Committee," said Stuart Land. "It is an honor to receive an award named after an extraordinary lawyer who, under dangerous and harassing conditions, undertook pioneering efforts to gain civil rights for African Americans in the South during the 1950s. Throughout the rest of his life, Wiley Branton continued to play an important role in the pursuit of equal justice."
An executive committee member of the Washington Lawyers' Committee since 1973, Mr. Land served as co-chair between 1976 and 1978. During his term as co-chair, he advocated the establishment of new programs in the fields of public education reform and immigration rights, both of which are now core elements of the Committee's ongoing work. In more recent years, Mr. Land has been a strong supporter of public education reform in the District of Columbia. He is active as a member of the Public Charter School Coalition and other groups involved in D.C. educational matters. He was also a proponent of Arnold & Porter's Loaned Associate Program, whereby firm lawyers work with area public interest organizations for a period of six months.
Mr. Land has played a prominent role in the leadership of Arnold & Porter. He is immediate past Chair of the firm and is a senior partner in the firm's pharmaceutical and medical devices practice.