Wiley Named NLADA Beacon of Justice Honoree for Third Consecutive Year

June 25, 2026

Wiley has once again been honored with the Beacon of Justice Award by The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA). This is the third consecutive year that Wiley has been recognized with the award, which highlights the firm’s pro bono work on matters related to protecting democracy and civil rights.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a Beacon of Justice by NLADA once again, and we’re proud to work on matters that advance NLADA’s objective of equal justice for all,” said Pro Bono Partner Theodore A. Howard. “In the past year, Wiley has undertaken many matters related to protecting civil rights and democracy, including achieving victories for refugee families, civil rights organizations, and advocates for police accountability and freedom of information.”

Wiley was recognized as a Beacon of Justice for its efforts in multiple pro bono matters, including:

• Securing standing to sue the Maryland Department of Health over allegations of civil rights violations concerning the treatment of defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness;
• Persuading a Maryland Circuit Court to uphold the enforceability and constitutionality of a landmark public information statute known as Anton’s Law;
• Advocating for the rights of incarcerated individuals who were sentenced as adults for crimes they committed as juveniles;
• Obtaining asylum for two refugee families before the U.S. Immigration Court;
• Advocating for domestic violence protections for DC kinship caregivers; and more.

The award will be presented at NLADA’s Exemplar Gala on September 24 in Washington, DC.

NLADA is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to advancing justice and expanding opportunity for all through excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel.