Champion of Justice Award Recipients

The Champion of Justice Award recognizes an individual or group who — through legislative, judicial, journalistic or humanitarian pursuits — defended constitutional rights and endeavored to ensure justice and due process for those accused of crime. One Champion of Justice Award may be presented each year. 

Year

Recipient(s)

2024

Grace O'Connor, Katrin Johnson, Justice Mary Yu

2023

Robert Schiffner

2022

Jeannie Darnielle

20/21

Columbia Legal Services Team: Nick Allen, Travis Andrews, Alex Bergstrom, Ali Bilow, Julia Bladin, Cheli Bueno, Janet Chung, Merf Ehman, Antonio Ginatta, Tony Gonzalez, Kim Gunning, Adriana Hernandez, Lori Isley, Maureen Janega, Bonnie Linville, Charlie McAteer, Rachael Pashkowski, Cheryl Seelhoff, Laurel Simonso, Brandy Sincyr, Nick Straley, and Hannah Woerner.

2019

Katherine Beckett, Heather D. Evans

2018

Tarra Simmons

2017

Draeger Litigation Team: Brian M. Sullivan, Jason Lantz, Melissa Sullivan, George Bianchi, Francisco Duarte, Howard Stein, Lauren McLane, Jonathan Rands, Kathryn Fraser and Tamara Gaffney

2016

Alison Chinn Holcomb

2015

David R Carlson and Emily Cooper of Disability Rights Washington, La Rond Baker, Margaret Chen and Sarah A. Dunne of ACLU of Washington; Cassie Trueblood, Jason Schwarz, Braden Pence and Eric Johnsen of Snohomish County Office of Public Defense; Anita Khandelwal; Christoper Carney

2014

Chris Jackson, Toby Marshall, David Steele, Robert Boruchowitz, John Strait, Letty Alvarez, Jennifer Boschen, Sarah Dunne, Camille Fisher, Joel Y. Higa, Carol Kness, Chris Knowlden, Breena M. Roos, Nancy Talner, James F. Williams, and Matthew John Zuchetto

2013

Brendan Kiley

2012

Ari Kohn

2011

Innocence Project NW Clinic

2010

Rep. Sherry Appleton

2009

James Bible, Jr.

2008

Teresa Mathis

2007

Joanne Moore

2006

Jon Ostlund

2005

Ken Armstrong

2004

Jennifer Davis

2003

Lisa Daugaard

2002

Senator Adam Kline

2001

Justice Richard B. Sanders