Covington & Burling LLP Partner & 82nd Attorney General of the United States Eric H. Holder, Jr to Receive Outstanding Achievement Award
Washington D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — On Thursday, October 6, 2016 Eric H. Holder, Jr. will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Lawyer’s Executive Advisory Partners’ Luncheon, hosted by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
Eric Holder served as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States from 2009 to 2015, under President Barack Obama. He was the first African American to serve in that position. Mr. Holder is currently a partner at Covington & Burling LLP.
Mr. Holder will be honored for his work in outlining federal strategies that targeted the criminalization of poor people – a longstanding critical area of concern for the Law Center. Mr. Holder has labeled the trap of poverty, crime, and imprisonment a “vicious cycle” in poor communities. Without intervention this cycle will continue to intensify and devastate struggling families and individuals.
As Attorney General, Mr. Holder oversaw the government’s efforts to address many critically important issues arising at the intersection of law and public policy, including reform of the federal criminal justice system, which especially and disproportionately affects poor communities of color. The criminalization of homelessness is part of this trend, and the Law Center has been at the forefront of the fight against it. The Law Center’s No Safe Place: The Criminalization of Homelessness details a startling rise in laws criminalizing homelessness across America – more and more U.S. cities are criminally punishing homeless people for engaging in necessary, life-sustaining activity in public places, even when they have no other options.
As Attorney General, Mr. Holder advocated for re-entry programs that bring together federal support, community groups, and law enforcement for a more holistic approach to curb recidivism. Central to the outline for improved re-entry is job training that leads to gainful employment which produces stability. Mr. Holder has also advocated for affordable housing, citing its central role in reducing crime and ensuring safer communities across the country.
The Law Center is the only national organization dedicated to using the power of the law to end and prevent homelessness and to protect the rights of people experiencing homelessness.
With the support of an extensive network of pro bono lawyers (with over 3 million dollars of donated pro bono work each year), the Law Center uses its legal expertise to help pass, implement and enforce laws addressing the immediate and long-term needs of those who are homeless or at risk. In partnership with other advocates, they work through policy advocacy, public education, impact litigation, and advocacy training and support.
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The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (www.nlchp.org) is the only national organization dedicated solely to using the power of the law to prevent and end homelessness. With the support of a large network of pro bono lawyers, we address the immediate and long-term needs of people who are homeless or at risk through outreach and training, advocacy, impact litigation, and public education.
Contact: Grace Beal
(202) 638-2535 ext. 105
