LOS ANGELES—The Western Center on Law & Poverty has named Covington as its 2023 Max Gillam Pro Bono Award recipient, which is presented each year to one law firm that has made an extraordinary contribution as pro bono counsel supporting the organization’s work.
This year’s award recognizes Covington’s partnership with the Western Center, Public Counsel, and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, in achieving a landmark settlement on behalf of tenant advocacy organizations with the California Department of Housing and Community Development regarding the State’s administration of its Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The settlement provides a renewed chance for over 100,000 California households struggling with pandemic rent debt to receive critical rent relief funding from the State. Many of these households face the threat of eviction, and additional funding remains essential to supporting and stabilizing families as the housing and homelessness crisis worsens in California.
Covington’s Sylvia Huang, Sara Dennis, Mollie Swears, Jack Heise, and Ace Elliott-Hernandez were all instrumental to the effort. Neema Sahni, Jeff Kiburtz, and Hardy Ehlers managed the team.
The Max Gillam Pro Bono Award was initiated to honor the memory of preeminent litigator Max Gillam, who served as pro bono counsel when the Western Center faced an attack aimed at shutting its doors and ending federal support for legal services providers. Covington is honored to receive an award celebrating the contributions of pro bono firms in supporting the Western Center’s critical mission.
Covington has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. The firm is frequently recognized for pro bono service, including 11 times being ranked the number one pro bono practice in the U.S. by The American Lawyer. Much of the firm's pro bono work is anchored in meeting local needs, serving economically disadvantaged individuals and families in our surrounding communities, but the firm also has a long history of serving vulnerable clients and important causes throughout the U.S. and the world.
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