2024 Higginbotham Leadership Awards
The Lawyers’ Committee hosts the Higginbotham Awards gala annually to highlight the exemplary contributions of corporate executives, policy makers, professional athletes, authors, artists and other individuals who champion the cause of justice and equality for all.
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Celebrating Leaders in Justice and Equality
The Higginbotham Leadership Awards gala is named in honor of A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. a celebrated statesman, civil rights champion, author, professor, historian, and federal appeals court judge. The Lawyers’ Committee hosts the Higginbotham Awards gala annually to highlight the exemplary contributions of corporate executives, policy makers, professional athletes, authors, artists and other individuals who champion the cause of justice and equality for all. The gala is one of the largest events in the civil rights community. We invite you to join us as we build partnerships that foster a culture of democracy and amplifies voice, opportunity and power of Black people and other communities of color.
Featuring
CLIENT AWARDEE
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Ruthie Walls
Ms. Walls and other teachers and students serve as plaintiffs in Walls v. Sanders, a successful challenge to the Arkansas LEARNS Act, which would have punished educators for teaching about Critical Race Theory.
BEACON OF JUSTICE
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Arian Simone
Co-Founder and CEO of the Fearless Fund
DISTINGUISHED CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE
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Leader Hakeem Jeffries
House Democratic Leader (D, NY-8)
SPECIAL GUEST
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Leticia James
New York State Attorney General
SPECIAL GUEST EMCEE
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Melissa Murray
Co-Host, “Strict Scrutiny” Podcast and Professor of Law, NYU
MUSICAL GUEST
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Leon Timbo
Singer and Songwriter
Speakers
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DAMON T. HEWITT
President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
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DANIELLE R. HOLLEY
President, Mount Holyoke
Board Co-Chair
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MICHAEL E. SWARTZ
Partner,
Schulte, Roth & Zabel
Board Co-Chair
Thank You to Our Generous Supporters
Questions about sponsorship or tickets email event@lawyerscommittee.org