American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Honors Kirkland & Ellis LLP Partner for Pro Bono Work
Kirkland & Ellis LLP Senior Litigation Partner Tefft Smith was honored for his outstanding pro bono work for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) during ADC's annual civil rights luncheon at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 17. Specifically, Mr. Smith was named ADC's Pro-Bono Attorney of the Year.
The award comes as a result of work Mr. Smith and Kirkland are doing on ADC's behalf related to potential profiling of American Arabs in law enforcement actions by the federal government. Kirkland associates John O'Quinn and Amanda Wong are working closely with Mr. Smith and ADC on these matters.
Their work primarily relates to the Department of Homeland Security's creation of a special database -- NSEERS -- requiring registration of people from designated Arab countries, ostensibly for immigration control purposes.
"It's an honor to receive this award from ADC," Mr. Smith said. "Through pro bono efforts, Kirkland & Ellis is committed to defending the rights of the American-Arab community and protecting the Constitutional rights and values of freedom, liberty and equality under law for people of all races and religions."
The Honorable Mary Rose Oakar, ADC President, said "ADC is grateful to Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Mr. Smith for their outstanding contribution and dedication to the civil and human rights of all Americans. As ADC's 2006 'Pro Bono of the Year Award' recipient, Mr. Smith has demonstrated outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to selflessly representing those in need. ADC is confident that ADC's relationship with Kirkland & Ellis LLP, will continue to develop and grow in upcoming years. On behalf of all Arab Americans, thank you."
The award was given out as part of ADC's annual meeting, which drew more than 2,000 attendees.
Located in Washington, D.C., ADC is the leading organization protecting the legal rights of Americans of Arab descent. ADC has many prominent members from Congress, the local business community and from the American-Arab business community throughout the United States and the Middle East. For more information, see www.adc.org.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,100-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, corporate, restructuring, tax and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York and San Francisco.
