ABA executive director to receive Ally for Justice Award

ABA Executive Director Jack Rives will be the sole recipient of the National LGBT Bar's annual Allies for Justice Award, which will be presented at 3:00 p.m. August 1 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The award, which recognizes men and women who have been instrumental in ensuring that all people, and all families, receive equal justice under the law, is co-sponsored by the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities. "Jack Rives's career includes a long and distinguished record of pursuing human rights through the law," said D'Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of The LGBT Bar. "The ABA, with Jack at the helm, has become a model for inclusiveness and diversity." "From his time as The Judge Advocate General of the United States Air Force to his work today, he has been a consistent champion of the ethical and effective practice of law. As The Bar continues its work with the ABA in areas such as ending the use of 'gay panic' defenses, preventing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in jury selection, and encouraging more leadership within our profession by LGBT and allied lawyers, Jack's leadership will continue to be instrumental to our success," said Kemnitz. "We're proud to pay tribute to him and look forward to the continuation of a successful partnership." The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal organizations. The LGBT Bar promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity. The ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity leads the association's commitment to secure equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in the Bar, the legal profession, the justice system and society. The ABA Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities provides leadership within the ABA and the legal profession in protecting and advancing human rights, civil liberties and social justice. Published: Thu, Jul 23, 2015