Tzedek DC is proud to announce that Founding Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman has been awarded a 2024 National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) Kutak-Dodds Prize, given to two lawyers in the United States to recognize extraordinary contributions to advancing access to justice and racial equity in civil legal aid and public defense.
Since 1989, the Kutak-Dodds Prizes have been awarded to attorneys who have significantly contributed to the human dignity and quality of life of individuals unable to afford legal representation. The prize, which will be presented on June 6, carries a cash award of $10,000.
“I'm grateful to the NLADA, which is such an important source of strength, learning, and energy for all of us around the country working to defend the rights of our neighbors who can't afford to pay an attorney when they need one,” Ariel said. “This recognition is a testament to the work and impact of my outstanding teammates at Tzedek DC and our partners in the DC legal services community. I'm especially honored and humbled to see the list of past recipients, including some of my personal heroes like Elaine Jones, Martha Bergmark, and Stephen Bright.
“My wife Rachel and I also have the honor of donating the cash award to Building Bridges Across the River, a terrific nonprofit organization in our DC community that has partnered with legal service organizations and provides residents East of the Anacostia River access to best-in-class facilities, programs, and partnerships in arts and culture, economic opportunity, education, recreation, health, and well-being. Thank you, NLADA.”
NLADA’s full announcement, including information on co-award winner Michelle Mason of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, is here.
About NLADA
The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America's oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local levels, playing a leadership role in the creation of public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.
About Tzedek DC
Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.