Hanson Bridgett Receives Fifth Consecutive NLADA Beacon of Justice Award

We’re proud to share that Hanson Bridgett has been honored with the 2026 Beacon of Justice Award by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) — the fifth consecutive year the firm has received this recognition.

The 2026 award recognizes just 33 law firms nationally for their exceptional commitment to protecting democracy and civil society through pro bono legal service in 2025. While most honorees are larger national or global “Big Law” firms, Hanson Bridgett is the only full-service mid-sized firm on the list. The firm was recognized for its longstanding dedication to expanding access to justice and representing individuals and organizations whose rights, livelihoods, and well-being are at stake.

Across California, our attorneys devoted thousands of hours to pro bono matters involving civil rights, housing, immigration, family stability, and support for underserved communities. These efforts reflect a firmwide commitment to ensuring legal services are accessible to those who need them most and to strengthening the communities in which we live and work.

“Pro bono service is woven into the fabric of our firm,” said Jennifer Martinez, partner and CDEIO. “Our attorneys consistently step forward to address critical legal needs, advocate for vulnerable populations, and help ensure that justice is available to everyone, regardless of circumstance.”

The firm’s ongoing commitment to public-interest advocacy continues in 2026. Most recently, at the request of longtime pro bono client LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Hanson Bridgett filed an amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara on behalf of LatinoJustice and 22 co-amici, advocating for the constitutional protections guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. The matter reflects the type of impactful pro bono work that has helped earn the firm’s continued recognition by NLADA.

“By honoring law firms for their efforts to protect democracy and civil rights, we celebrate the powerful impact of pro bono advocacy in expanding access to justice, safeguarding fundamental rights, and helping communities thrive across the country,” said NLADA President & CEO April Fraizer Camara.

The 2026 Beacon of Justice awardees will be celebrated at the NLADA Exemplar Awards Gala on September 24 in Washington, D.C.

Hanson Bridgett is a certified B Corp and has been consistently recognized among the top Bay Area corporate philanthropists by the San Francisco Business Times. To learn more about our pro bono program, visit hansonbridgett.com/about-the-firm/pro-bono.