Meet 8 ABA members who inspired us in 2018
Illustration by Sara Wadford.
The ABA Journal launched the Members Who Inspire column in 2017 to highlight ABA members who are doing important and interesting things in their personal and professional lives.
This year, the eight members we profiled have been fighting for immigrants, human trafficking survivors, criminal defendants, at-risk children, legal aid organizations, amateur athletes—and their fellow attorneys.
• Source of Solace: Off the bench, federal judge dedicates time to helping others
U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey co-founded SOLACE more than 15 years ago. Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel—All Concern Encouraged members try to help others in the legal community and their families in times of need.
• Olympic medal-winning attorney fights sexual abuse and discrimination in athletics
Olympic gold medalist Nancy Hogshead-Makar backed a new law that requires Olympic governing bodies to try to prevent the sexual, physical and emotional abuse of amateur athletes.
• Showrunners: Couple’s friendly fundraising competition launches marathon event
Lawyers Crystal and Michael Freed organized marathons and other events to raise money for legal aid and awareness of human trafficking.
• California attorney devotes his career to helping children navigate immigration courts
Martin Gauto, a senior attorney for Clinic (the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.) in Los Angeles, has represented hundreds of immigrant children who were apprehended at the U.S. border after fleeing abusive situations in countries such as Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
• San Diego clinic founder helps human trafficking victims rebuild their lives
As founder and president of the Free to Thrive legal clinic in San Diego, Jamie Quient uses her networking skills to get her clients access to safe housing, drug treatment programs and job training.
• Former prosecutor advocates for criminal justice reform
As deputy director of the ACLU of Florida, Melba Pearson approaches criminal justice issues with the eye of a prosecutor and the heart of a civil liberties activist.
• Advocating for at-risk children is Richard Hooks Wayman’s mission
Richard Hooks Wayman is national executive director of the Children’s Defense Fund. The privately financed nonprofit promotes medical care, education, housing, nutrition and safety for children, particularly the 13 million who live in poverty.
Members Who Inspire is an ABA Journal series profiling exceptional ABA members. If you know members who do unique and important work, you can nominate them for this series by emailing [email protected].
