Outgoing D.C. Bar President Chad Sarchio presents Judith with the Thurgood Marshall Award

Good afternoon,

I’ve known Judith Sandalow for decades, partnering with her and her colleagues at Children’s Law Center. I have seen the impact her advocacy has on our neighbors most in need.

From the start of her career, she has developed innovative collaborations with attorneys, agencies, medical professionals, and community leaders to better serve D.C. children and families – and inspired countless lawyers to approach their work with greater passion and creativity.

Because Judith's contributions to our community have been so remarkable and have benefitted so many, I nominated her for the D.C. Bar's highest honor, the Thurgood Marshall Award. This award recognizes “extraordinary commitment and initiative in pursuing equal justice and opportunity for all Americans.” Judith has exemplified that commitment and initiative throughout her career.

I am thrilled to congratulate her on receiving the Thurgood Marshall Award at the D.C. Bar's Celebration of Leadership last week.

Not surprisingly, she didn’t use her time on stage that night to celebrate her career. She used it to call on us to expand our understanding of justice and to commit to doing more. As I reminded the attendees, she is a formidable lawyer. She’d never pass up the chance to make her case for D.C. kids.

Judith with family and friends at the event

She asked those of us in the audience – including policymakers, judges and attorneys in public service and private practice – to reflect on the complex ways our economic choices affect access to justice in this city:

“Each of us has an obligation, by virtue of our profession and our position, to fight for justice. To fund justice. And to do justice.”

I highly recommend taking the time to watch this video highlighting Judith’s extraordinary career and watch her full remarks from the event. Most importantly, I hope you will answer her call to do justice: To fight alongside her colleagues so that D.C. kids and families can get the legal services they need. And to help organizations like Children’s Law Center ensure access to justice today and into the future.

Jim Sandman

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