SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Alliance Defense Fund honored six allied attorneys last week that have provided thousands of hours of dedicated, pro-bono service in defense of religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family. The value of those hours amounts to millions of dollars in free legal services that they have provided to clients in need.
“These six men have gone above and beyond the call of duty in defense of our religious freedom,” said ADF Senior Counsel Glen Lavy. “Each of these men is a true hero, and it’s an honor to recognize these gentlemen for the sacrificial gift of their time and talent.”
ADF established the service award program to honor allied attorneys who have had an impact on the legal system through their sacrificial service. Bronze Service Awards are presented to those attorneys who report at least 2,500 qualifying hours, Silver Service Awards go to those with at least 5,000 qualifying hours, and those contributing 10,000 hours or more are honored with the Gold Service Award.
Attorneys receiving the silver award are Gerald Chipeur of Alberta, Canada, who has litigated numerous religious freedom, sanctity of life, and marriage cases; Kevin Clarkson of Alaska, who led the legal battle to secure the right for Alaskans to vote on a marriage amendment; and Chuck LiMandri, who has led the legal defense of the Mt. Soledad war memorial cross and was recently successful in defending four San Diego firefighters who had been forced to participate in a “gay pride” parade.
Recipients of the bronze awards are Herb Grey of Oregon, who played a pivotal role in defending the Oregon marriage amendment; David Langdon of Ohio, who led the legal battle to keep the Ohio marriage amendment on the November 2004 ballot; and Mike Norton of Colorado, who serves as a regional coordinator to encourage other attorneys to become involved in defending religious freedom.
The accomplishments listed above are only a small sampling of the work the attorneys have completed. Since 1997, the ADF National Litigation Academy has trained more than 1,300 attorneys who have provided over $95 million of dedicated, pro-bono service in defense of religious freedom.
“The tireless efforts of these men have made a huge difference in the legal battle to preserve our
First Liberty, religious freedom,” said Lavy. “We commend each of them for their commitment and hope these awards will inspire other attorneys to make the same dedication of time and talent.”
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
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