Photo Courtesy of Laura Possessky
MSJDN was founded in 2011 and will celebrate its 5th anniversary this June. In those 5 years, remarkable change has occurred for military spouse attorneys seeking to continue their careers while accompanying their servicemembers on assignments across the states and around the globe. Thanks to MSJDN’s efforts, 17 jurisdictions have adopted licensing accommodations for military spouses, reducing the burden of additional examination for many lawyer spouses. Now that work is being recognized by the American Bar Association, who just announced that MSJDN will be honored with the prestigious Grassroots Advocacy Award in D.C. this April.
Every spring, bar leaders from across the county make their way to Capitol Hill to connect with members of Congress on key issues affecting the justice system and the legal profession. During “ABA Day” each year, the ABA also honors members of the legal profession with its annual Grassroots Advocacy Award. Past recipients of the award include multiple state bar associations, judges, and trailblazers in the legal profession. MSJDN is extremely honored to be named as a 2016 Grassroots Advocacy Award recipient. Neal Sonnett of Miami, Florida will also be recognized, while Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) will receive the ABA’s 2016 Justice Awards.
ABA Day 2016 will bring lawyers from across the 50 states to D.C. to discuss issues directly impacting the legal profession and administration of justice. With nearly 400,000 members, the ABA is one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.
President Eleanor Vuono said, “We are so grateful to the ABA for their continued support and celebration of military families. This award is an incredible opportunity for the legal community to learn more about the amazing military spouses in our profession.” MSJDN is thrilled to be recognized with this prestigious award and celebrates with the military spouse attorneys whose careers and lives have been changed through these grassroots efforts!