The evening honored Vice President Kamala D. Harris, Rita Moreno, and Davis Wright Tremaine while spotlighting Public Counsel’s work to defend rights and advance justice.
Public Counsel’s 2026 William O. Douglas Award Dinner was a powerful evening of celebration and purpose. This year’s gathering was especially meaningful as we came together not only to honor extraordinary leaders, but to recommit ourselves to defending the Constitution, our communities, and the rule of law.
We were proud to honor:
- Vice President Kamala D. Harris with the William O. Douglas Award for her enduring commitment to advancing justice, civil rights, and the rule of law from the courtroom to the highest levels of government.
- Rita Moreno with the Trailblazer in the Arts Award for her groundbreaking legacy across film, television, and stage, and for championing equality and inspiring generations to fight for what is right.
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP with the Law Firm Pro Bono Award for its longstanding commitment to public service and access to justice, including extraordinary pro bono advocacy on behalf of vulnerable immigrant children.
The evening was made even more special by our remarkable guests and participants. Uzo Aduba presented the William O. Douglas Award to Vice President Harris, Vin Diesel presented Rita Moreno with the Trailblazer in the Arts Award, Amanda Gorman moved and inspired us with a powerful poetic performance of New Day’s Lyric (watch it here), and Jason George and Public Counsel Board member Tanya Acker co-hosted the program.
Throughout the evening, we also spotlighted the impact of Public Counsel’s work.
- We featured the life-saving story of four-year-old Sofia, whose humanitarian parole was renewed after Public Counsel fought to help her continue receiving critical medical treatment.
- We also shared a highlight reel showcasing Public Counsel’s efforts to defend our communities in the face of unlawful Trump Administration policies.
- And we highlighted our landmark court victory in Powers v. Collins, requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to build thousands of units of supportive housing for disabled veterans on the West Los Angeles VA campus.
These stories are a powerful reminder of why Public Counsel’s work matters so deeply in this moment. Over the past year, we have met immense challenges with urgency and resolve—through impact litigation, direct legal services, community education, and support for nonprofits navigating extraordinary uncertainty.
Nights like this one matter—not just because they bring us together, but because they remind us what we are fighting for and who we are fighting alongside. We couldn’t do this life-changing work without the presence, generosity, and commitment of our supporters. On behalf of our clients, staff, and the many communities we serve, thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s dinner such a success.
There’s still time to explore our exciting Charitybuzz auction supporting the William O. Douglas Award Dinner before bidding closes on May 3, including the opportunity to virtually meet Rita Moreno, two VIP tickets to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and the chance to meet Nikki Glaser with two tickets to a show of your choice. View the auction.
