On May 21, 2026, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs was honored to receive the Justice Potter Stewart Award from the Council for Court Excellence (CCE).
Named for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, the award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the law, the courts, and the administration of justice in Washington, D.C.
This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee community—our staff, volunteers, pro bono partners, community allies, supporters, and clients—who work every day to advance civil rights and equal justice under law.
For more than five decades, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee has partnered with communities across the region to challenge discrimination, protect constitutional rights, expand access to justice, and hold powerful institutions accountable. Whether defending voting rights, advancing educational equity, protecting workers, fighting housing discrimination, supporting immigrant communities, or safeguarding the rule of law, our work is rooted in the belief that justice should be accessible to all.
Accepting the award on behalf of the organization, Executive Director Joanne Lin reflected on both the honor and the urgency of the moment in a short poem:
“When we listen and respond to community need.
We marshal resources and move with speed.
We step up to vanquish a practice of Hate
We go to court to lit-i-gate.
Protecting our neighbors, no thinking twice
Winning! And Proving — We Can Stop ICE!
Defending DC, we call and unite
The Rule of Law lives on… so long as we fight!”
A Shared Recognition
This award belongs to the many people who stand with us in the fight for justice. As threats to civil rights continue to evolve, we remain committed to defending vulnerable communities, protecting fundamental freedoms, and ensuring that the promise of equal justice under law is a reality for everyone.
Watch the Video
Watch highlights from the award presentation and Joanne Lin’s acceptance remarks.
Support Our Work
Your support helps make this work possible. Together, we can continue advancing civil rights, strengthening our communities, and defending the rule of law.