NLADA announces its 2018 Exemplar Award Honorees

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) announced the 2018 NLADA Exemplar Award Honorees: Bradley Gayton, group vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel at Ford Motor Company; Deborah Majoras, chief legal officer and secretary at Procter & Gamble; and Judge John Gleeson, partner at Debevoise & Plimpton.

The award recognizes leaders from the corporate and private bar who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to advancing equal justice for low-income communities. The 2018 Exemplar Awards will be presented at the organization’s annual Exemplar Dinner on Wednesday, June 13, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.

“NLADA is honored to recognize the exceptional work and dedication of Bradley, Deborah and John,” said Jo-Ann Wallace, NLADA president and CEO. “Their communities – and our nation as a whole – are made better by their passionate and consistent work on behalf of equal justice and individuals in need of counsel and compassion. It is a privilege to recognize these three advocates and their important contributions towards achieving the promise of equal justice for all.”

Reflecting on Ford Motor Company’s legacy as founder of NLADA’s Corporate Advisory Committee twenty-five years ago, Gayton said he was honored to receive this award on behalf of the men and women on Ford’s global legal team.

“We believe it is a tremendous privilege to practice law and that lawyers have an obligation to use our talents to help improve access to justice,” said Gayton. “I’m proud that NLADA and Ford’s storied pro bono program has not only endured, but also become a deep seated part of our culture.  We have expanded the program internationally and every lawyer at Ford has committed to provide 30 hours of pro bono work annually.”

“As I have traveled to the many countries in which P&G does business, I have realized that our lawyers are truly ‘Ambassadors for the Rule of Law,’” said Majoras. “As such, we have a responsibility not only to stand up for that Rule of Law, but also for the people who struggle to access its benefits.  I am proud of the work that our team has done in representing low-income individuals and providing legal support to charitable organizations, and we are grateful to NLADA for its important work and for this recognition.”

“I am grateful for this award and for the opportunity to continue to draw attention to the important need for compassion and reform within our criminal justice system,” said Gleeson.

Gayton, Majoras and Gleeson join a distinguished cohort of former honorees, including Rick Cotton, NBC Universal (formerly); Michael Holston, Hewlett-Packard (formerly); Bruce Kuhlik, Merck & Co., Inc. (formerly); Max Laun, Arconic; Louise Pentland, PayPal Holdings, Inc.; Teri Plummer McClure, UPS; John F. Schultz, Hewlett-Packard Company (formerly); Brad Smith, Microsoft; and Laura Stein, The Clorox Company.

More than 500 advocates for equal justice, including public interest lawyers, private attorneys and general counsel come together at this annual spring event to pay tribute to individuals and law firms making a critical impact on the lives of innumerable disadvantaged Americans.

“NLADA is grateful to have leaders like Bradley, Deborah and John working alongside us to expand access to counsel for every person regardless of circumstances,” said Wallace.