Events
The William O. Douglas Award Dinner
The William O. Douglas Award Dinner is one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. It is attended by nearly 1,200 people from the legal, political, entertainment, philanthropic, and corporate communities, who gather together annually to support Public Counsel’s work and recognize those whose accomplishments have forever changed our community, our nation, and our world for the better. The event is Public Counsel’s annual flagship fundraiser, bringing in millions to support its pro bono legal services, community-building and advocacy efforts, and groundbreaking civil rights litigation in L.A. and across the nation.
Video Highlights from Past Dinners
Our Past Honorees
2023 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
We had the honor of recognizing Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi with the William O. Douglas Award for her extraordinary career in public service and leadership in passing generation-defining legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act and the American Rescue Plan. We celebrated the pro bono commitment of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP with the Law Firm Pro Bono Award, including its recent case filed in collaboration with Public Counsel to vindicate the rights of transition age youth in L.A. County’s foster care system. We recognized Mattel, Inc. with the Corporate Achievement Award for its commitment to sustainable design and development, responsible sourcing and production, and thriving and inclusive communities.
Our Past Honorees
2022 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
We recognized one of the great artists of our time, Viola Davis, for her groundbreaking work both in front of and behind the camera and her willingness to stand up and speak out for those who are underserved and overlooked. We also honored Public Counsel board member, and Partner at Irell & Manella LLP, Morgan Chu, who received the Founders Award, and we presented Kirkland & Ellis LLP with our Law Firm Pro Bono Award for the firm’s significant pro bono work and commitment to equal access to justice. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Andra Day shared a special musical performance.
2021 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
We recognized four distinguished honorees for their trailblazing commitments to inclusivity and representation and initiatives to bring about social justice. We presented the William O. Douglas Award to John Legend, honored Sidley Austin LLP with the Law Firm Pro Bono Award, recognized Betsy Beers with the inaugural Trailblazer in the Arts Award, and Netflix received the Corporate Achievement Award.
2020 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
To keep our supporters safe in the midst of the pandemic, we produced a 50th Anniversary Livestream Special. The show was hosted by Tanya Acker, Public Counsel Boardmember and host of the CBS hit show Hot Bench, and featured a number of surprise guests, including a congratulatory message from President Bill Clinton. Hundreds gathered virtually to celebrate 50-years of advancing justice, hope, and opportunity for all.
2019 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate Public Counsel’s remarkable accomplishments and distinguished honorees at our 2019 William O. Douglas Award Dinner on Thursday, October 24, 2019, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. It was our privilege to honor Governor Gavin Newsom with the William O. Douglas Award, Toyota with our Corporate Achievement Award, and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP with our Law Firm Pro Bono Award.
2018 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
Our William O. Douglas Award recipient, actor and activist Mike Farrell, gave a powerful speech that brought the crowd to a standing ovation. The evening’s other honorees included Participant Media, recipient of the Corporate Achievement Award, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, recipient of the Law Firm Pro Bono Award, and Audrey Irmas, recipient of the inaugural Audrey Irmas Social Justice Impact Award. Guests were also treated to a wonderful performance by world-renowned artist, Aloe Blacc.
2017 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
On June 29th, 2017, Public Counsel staff, friends, and supporters gathered at the annual William O. Douglas Award Dinner. In addition to celebrating the work of Public Counsel, the event honored civil rights hero Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. with the William O. Douglas Award, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP with the Law Firm Pro Bono Award, and The Walt Disney Company with the Corporate Achievement Award. The event raised nearly $2.2 million to support the important work of Public Counsel.
2016 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
More than 1,200 supporters joined us in honoring Bryan Stevenson, Sidley Austin LLP and Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. for their commitment to ensuring equal access to justice for all. Bryan Stevenson said it best when he received the Douglas Award, “Hopelessness is the enemy of justice. Injustice prevails where hopelessness persists. And the work of Public Counsel is rooted in hope.” Other special guests included Michael B. Jordan, Tanya Acker, Mike Farrell, and two very special performances by John Legend.
2015 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
On June 17th, 2015, more than 1,000 Los Angeles leaders raised over $2.1 million to support the work of Public Counsel at our 39th annual William O. Douglas Award Dinner. Civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, this year’s Douglas Award honoree, led the room in a resounding and inspiring chant, “Who’s got the power? We’ve got the power! What kind of power? People power! What kind of power? Legal power! Que viva Public Counsel!”
2014 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
Public Counsel honored former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the 2014 William O. Douglas Award Dinner. The event also recognized corporate champion Qualcomm with the Corporate Achievement Award, law firm Arnold & Porter LLP with the Law Firm Pro Bono Award, and Public Counsel past board chairpersons Rand April of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Roman Silberfeld of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, with the Founders Award for their commitment to justice for all.
2013 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
Public Counsel honored Elizabeth Dole with our William O. Douglas Award on September 12, 2013, and announced a new partnership to give legal support to caregivers supporting wounded warriors and military veterans. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka presented the Douglas Award to Senator Dole, and videos from music legend Garth Brooks, actor Gary Sinise, Jay Leno, and former Cabinet Secretaries Donna Shalala and George Shultz paid tribute to Senator Dole’s remarkable achievements in public safety and service.
2012 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
It was a night of history and hope as Public Counsel honored Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel with the 2012 William O. Douglas Award. In addition, Public Counsel board member and former Chair David Johnson received the Founders Award, becoming the fifth person to receive the honor in Public Counsel’s 41-year history. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi introduced him and shared a moving tribute video.
2011 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
Public Counsel honored the 42nd President of the United States and founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation Bill Clinton with the 2011 William O. Douglas Award, celebrating Public Counsel’s 40 years of service to communities across the country. In addition, Public Counsel recognized Irell & Manella LLP, which received the Law Firm Pro Bono Award, and California Attorney General Kamala Harris presented the Corporate Achievement Award to CBS.
2010 William O. Douglas Award Dinner
Public Counsel honored VA Assistant Secretary L. Tammy Duckworth with the 2010 William O. Douglas Award.
