LOS ANGELES – Loyola Law School, Los Angeles will honor civil rights activist and trial attorney Samuel Paz with its Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Public Service Award on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at a ceremony and reception on Loyola’s downtown LA campus.
The Cochran Award is presented annually to an individual who embodies the qualities of Loyola alumnus Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. ’62, who was known as a trailblazer, innovator, master attorney and mentor. Mrs. Dale Mason Cochran, his widow, and Interim Dean Paul T. Hayden will present the award. Proceeds from the event will benefit Loyola’s African American Scholarship Fund.
“Samuel Paz represents everything that Johnnie Cochran held dear: compassion, courage and the drive to stand up for other peoples’ rights,” said Gary Williams, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Professor of Civil Rights at Loyola. “I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”
Paz specializes in the litigation of civil rights claims related to alleged police misconduct. His victories include the first substantial civil award against a police department for illegal spying activities and a $2,000,000 award with orders enjoining the LAPD from the illegal collection of information on community and political organizations. He is the vice president of the National Police Accountability Project, a non-profit dedicated to ending police misconduct.
Loyola Law School is located at 919 Albany St., Los Angeles, CA 90015. Event sponsors include Skadden, Bergman Dacey Goldsmith and The Cochran Firm.
Further details are available at http://www.lls.edu/resources/alumni/alumnievents/2016events/cochranawardandreception/.
About Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Located on an award-winning Frank Gehry-designed campus in downtown Los Angeles, Loyola Law School is home to prominent faculty, dedicated students and cutting-edge programs. Loyola dedicates itself to preparing students for practice with rigorous coursework, an extensive portfolio of practical-training opportunities, a diverse and successful alumni network and a focus on social justice. Are you ready to make a difference? Learn more at www.lls.edu.
Media contacts:
Journalists who wish to attend should RSVP to:
Brian Costello
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Brian.costello@lls.edu Tel. 213-736-1444
Melissa Abraham
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
melissa.abraham@lls.edu Tel. 213-736-1445
