The American Civil Liberties Union recognized Arnold & Porter senior pro bono counsel John A. Freedman as recipient of its Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award. The award honors the tremendous pro bono support the ACLU receives and the “years of partnership and tireless energy contributed to the defense of civil rights and liberties.”
Freedman was recognized for his “priceless contributions and exceptional insights in advocating for voting rights, and abortion rights.” They specifically noted his efforts in supporting individuals with disabilities during the pandemic, especially in Iowa and South Carolina. In 2020, Freedman and Arnold & Porter worked with the ACLU to challenge state laws banning masking in schools on behalf of students with disabilities and secured a critical victory for those children.
Freedman’s practice is devoted to litigating significant civil rights matters in trial and appellate courts. In the past several years, he has led teams that successfully challenged the proposed addition of a citizenship question to the decennial census, the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, the rescission of the Central American Minors program, race discrimination in the Prince George’s County Police Department, wage theft against undocumented construction workers, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s criminal background screening policy. Also known for his voting rights work, he has successfully litigated challenges to voting restrictions in Florida, Arizona, and Ohio and gerrymandering claims in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Maryland.
He has previously been recognized by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs with the 2022 Wiley A. Branton Award, for his commitment to civil rights and economic justice.