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Recognition

Firm Recognized as Pro Bono Innovator

December 16, 2024
Bloomberg Law
For the third year in a row, Bloomberg Law has recognized the firm’s pro bono work, including our role in advising the Emmett Till Interpretive Center and securing a precedent-setting victory for US veterans.

For the third year in a row, Bloomberg Law has honored Latham with its Pro Bono Innovators award for “[going] above and beyond in delivering pro bono legal services.”

This year, the publication highlighted the firm’s role in advising the Emmett Till Interpretive Center (ETIC) as it advocated for the federal protection of historic sites connected to Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. These sites include the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago where 14-year-old Emmett Till’s open-casket funeral was held after his 1955 lynching. As a result of Latham’s, ETIC’s, and its partners’ efforts, in the summer of 2023, President Joseph Biden designated a new national monument to commemorate Emmett Till and his mother. The monument features three sites in two states, and ensures that future generations continue to learn from this important chapter of civil rights history.

Latham also secured a precedent-setting victory that will have a widespread impact on veterans seeking disability ratings and medical retirements in the US. In this case, the firm represented combat veteran Jason Sissel, who suffered back and leg injuries while deployed in Iraq, and sought to obtain the basic disability benefits he was entitled to for his injuries. After a lengthy journey through the legal system, the US Court of Appeals sided with our client and found the Army’s method of rating veterans’ injuries was contrary to the governing regulations, setting new precedent that will benefit veterans across the US.

“We are proud to be consistently recognized by Bloomberg Law for innovation in our pro bono practice and congratulate all who were honored with this award this year,” said Laura Atkinson-Hope, Public Service Counsel and Director of Global Pro Bono at Latham.

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