National LGBT Bar Association Announces 2010 Allies for Justice


The National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Bar Association today announced Wayne Watts, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of AT&T, and Llewelyn G. Pritchard, of Helsell Fetterman LLP as the recipients of the organization’s 2010 Allies for Justice Award. Each year, the LGBT Bar recognizes individuals who has partnered with the LGBT community in the struggle for legal equality.

“Wayne Watts and Llewelyn Pritchard have proven powerful allies to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, Executive Director of the National LGBT Bar Association.

The LGBT Bar singled out Mr. Watts’ commitment to LGBT diversity in the legal profession and the AT&T Legal Department’s LGBT-inclusive diversity policies as some of the many reasons for his selection.

“As the voice of the LGBT legal community, the National LGBT Bar Association cannot think of someone we would be more pleased to have as AT&T’s General Counsel than Wayne Watts,” said Kemnitz. “His department’s LGBT-inclusive diversity initiatives have set a standard we hope to see replicated more broadly in corporate America. AT&T’s overall commitment to diversity underscores the belief that diversity is not a feel-good extravagance, but rather an ongoing business imperative.”

Over the past several years, Mr. Llewelyn Pritchard has worked tirelessly to change and establish policies within the American Bar Association to protect the most vulnerable members in our society, including LGBT individuals, immigrants and refugees.

“Llewelyn Pritchard has always been willing to take a personal and professional stand on key issues to the LGBT community,” explained Kemnitz. “His long career has taken in front of courts and before Congress, where he has proven a zealous advocate for equality, civil rights and social justice.”

The 2010 Allies for Justice Award will be presented on August 6, 2010 as part of the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco. For more information about the award or to see a complete list of previous winners, please visit: www.lgbtbar.org/allies.html

The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal organizations. The association promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.

Contact Llewelyn at lpritchard@helsell.com or (206) 689-2180