Milbank LLP was honored with a Pro Bono Publico Award at the LatinoJustice PRLDEF 2023 Annual Gala held in New York City on November 2. Milbank partner Atara Miller accepted the award on the firm’s behalf.
Milbank was recognized for its successful litigation and settlement in the long-running racial discrimination lawsuit against the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD). The suit, originally brought by LatinoJustice in 2015 on behalf of Latinos living and working in Suffolk County, alleged that the SCPD allowed officers to repeatedly stop, harass and even rob Latino people.
In July 2023, a federal judge in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement – originally reached in March – that requires the SCPD to establish precinct-level advisory boards and to work with a third-party provider to update its implicit bias training. The department also agreed to improve its traffic stop data collection and make it publicly available and open to third-party analysis; provide appropriate training on traffic and pedestrian stops; improve Spanish-language accessibility; implement a civilian oversight review process; and investigate all officer job applicants for ties to white supremacist organizations.
“It’s gratifying to celebrate the result we achieved with LatinoJustice,” said Ms. Miller. “The structural changes that this settlement will yield can go a long way in restoring trust between community members and those responsible for protecting them. We’re optimistic that the promises and changes that Suffolk County has committed to will create the system necessary to mitigate, identify and address discriminatory policing of Latinos in Suffolk County.”
The Milbank pro bono team was led by Ms. Miller and includes, among others, Scott A. Edelman, Katherine Kelly Fell, Mark Villaverde, Daniela Charris, Alex Cogut, Phil Gasperetti, Bradley Hershon, Samantha Lovin, Lacey Reimer and Morgan Williams.
Milbank has a longstanding relationship with LatinoJustice, which for more than 50 years has acted as an advocate for creating a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice.
Milbank is deeply committed to public service. In 2022, the firm provided more than 59,000 pro bono hours worldwide. In the United States, Milbank lawyers contributed an average of 75 hours per lawyer, with 86% of US attorneys reaching the 20-hour level, placing the firm near the top of The American Lawyer pro bono rankings.
