2010 NLG Testimonial Dinner

At the January meeting, the NLG Massachusetts Chapter Board of directors decided on this year’s Testimonial Dinner Honorees.  We are proud to announce that the 2010 NLG Honorees are:  Jill Soffiyah Elijah & Howard Cooper (lawyers), Dan Kesselbrenner (legal worker), Charlotte Noss & Josh Raisler Cohn (students).

Soffiyah Elijah is Deputy Director of the Criminal Justice Institute at Harvard Law School, where she concentrates on “the urgent needs of the powerless, voiceless and indigent” in the criminal justice system.  Soffiyah has represented numerous political prisoners and social activists, most recently the San Francisco 8/Black Panthers.

Howard Cooper, a partner at Boston’s Todd & Weld, is one of the Massachusetts’ most prominent litigators.  He has distinguished himself defending the rights of minorities, including the Islamic community in its epic battle to build a Mosque in Roxbury, and the poor and disabled in suburban towns seeking housing and services. Howard is a member and sustainer of the Guild.

Dan Kesselbrenner is the Executive Director of the NLG National Immigration Project and a long-time Guild member.  He is a nationally recognized expert on the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.  Dan has devoted his life to advancing and defending immigrants’ rights.

Charlie Noss is a third year Northeastern law student and has been very active in the Guild.  Among other activities, she provided leadership on campaigns supporting Northeastern Janitors in improving their union contract.  During her first year of law school, she did an outstanding job as a coordinator of the NLG Street Law Clinic.

Josh Raisler Cohn, a third year Northeastern student, has been active in the Guild for 10 years as a legalworker and student. Through legal observing and advocacy he has worked to support prisoners, activists and organizers, criminal defendants, low income people, tenants, and others targeted by state.

We are honored to have such accomplished legal professionals in our Guild community.  We hope you will join us in honoring this year’s NLG Awardees and attend the 2010 Testimonial Dinner, which will be held on Friday, May 7, 6:00 pm, at the Colonnade Hotel.