American Bar Association Recognizes Martha Barnett With Father Robert F. Drinan Award
February 11, 2008
Martha Barnett - Tallahassee
Distinguished Service Award honors those committed to the preservation and advancement of human rights, civil liberties and social justice.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The American Bar Association (ABA) has presented the Father Robert F. Drinan Distinguished Service Award to Martha Barnett, partner with the law firm of Holland & Knight LLP and chair of the firm’s Directors Committee. Barnett is a former ABA President and former chair of the ABA Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities.
“Martha Barnett’s career-long dedication to human rights and commitment to helping those who are most vulnerable make her the perfect candidate to receive this honor,” said Robyn Shapiro, chair of the ABA Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities. “We have had the honor of bestowing this award to individuals who have championed social justice causes and worked diligently to preserve human rights across the nation.”
The ABA established the award in 2001. Named for the late Robert F. Drinan, the first Roman Catholic priest elected to Congress in 1973, the award honors individuals who have shown sustained and extraordinary commitment to the ABA’s Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities and its mission of providing leadership to the profession in preserving and advancing human rights, civil liberties and social justice.
“Father Drinan was an inspiration to me and lawyers around the world who had the privilege to work with him and experience first hand the power of his personality,” said Martha Barnett. “He was a humanitarian who spoke for those in need, devoting his life to others and to the furtherance of human rights. I am honored to receive this award and reaffirm my commitment to carrying his message forward.“
Barnett received this year's Drinan Award during the ABA's 2008 Midyear Meeting in Los Angeles. Previous recipients include Father Drinan, John H. Pickering, John J. Curtin, Marna Tucker, Hon. Cruz Reynoso, Jerome J. Shestack and Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte.
Barnett currently serves as a member of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) appointed by Governor Charlie Crist. The TBRC, which meets once every 20 years, is charged with examining the state budgetary process, revenue needs and expenditure processes of the state and submitting proposed constitutional amendments to the people of Florida.
She also serves as chair of the Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), a public service project of the ABA. CEELI’s volunteer legal liaison program provides legal expertise and technical assistance to emerging democracies in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
During her tenure as president of the ABA, Barnett also devoted time to programs addressing the unique needs of the increasing number of young women in the criminal justice system, as well as calling for a national moratorium on the implementation of the death penalty.
Contact: Susan Bass (813) 769-4326