2008 ANNUAL REPORT - National Lawyers Guild

The NLG: Trusted, Respected, In Demand
While waiting at a stoplight in
St. Paul one evening during
the Republican National
Convention, a young activist
shouted to us from the street. I responded that
everyone in the car was from the National Lawyers
Guild. He ran over, declaring with enthusiasm,
“I have to give you a big hug!” and flung
his arms through the open window.
and other countries told us this year that they
are surprised that a bar association like the
Guild exists and how delighted they are to have
become our friends. Within our organization,
young members are playing leadership roles in
forging such relationships. If gross injustice exists,
there are few limits to our joining in others’
quests for legal and moral
redress.
activists, young and old, who express their
disdain for current government policies despite
the increased risk of being targets for exercising
their fundamental right to dissent. That
they sing our praises, whether in person or on
a blog, means that we are staying true to our
founders’ ideals.
Throughout the convention protests, response
to the Guild name was equally passionate. We
are trusted, respected and sought after as an
organization with a proud history, and current
track record, of defending individuals and
groups whom the government has spied on,
infiltrated, and vilified for exercising their First
Amendment rights. Our reputation continues
to be that of a legal organization far different
from all others.
This reputation extends beyond our borders.
Recognition for our unique reputation as an
organization of “people’s lawyers,” students
and legal workers continues to grow with each
delegation or individual initiative brought in
our name. Lawyers from Pakistan, Cuba, Japan
The Guild has received broad
media exposure over the past
year that provides a snapshot
of the range of issues we have
taken up. From representing
domestic activists falsely
labeled “terrorists” by the
government, to holding local
law enforcement accountable,
to organizing on behalf
of union staff at a law school,
the Guild continues to set
the standard for people’s
lawyering.
I appreciate the trust we
have earned from the many
Heidi Boghosian, Executive Director