Emhoff honored at Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles

Inner City Law Center honored former second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and King & Spalding LLP on Wednesday during its 26th annual awards luncheon in downtown Los Angeles, an event that highlighted the organization's work combating homelessness while raising funds for legal services.

More than 400 lawyers, judges, public officials and business leaders attended the luncheon, which celebrated the nonprofit's legal advocacy for low-income and homeless people across Los Angeles County.

CEO Adam Murray said the organization's clients often seek help during moments of crisis, with many facing disability or severe poverty. Nearly half of the organization's clients live in households earning less than $10,000 annually, he said.

"We partner with our clients to identify pathways to housing security," Murray told attendees. He said Inner City Law Center worked on cases for more than 3,000 clients and recovered more than $27 million for clients.

The organization relies on a staff of 150 employees, 36 board members and more than 700 pro bono volunteers, Murray said. Among the volunteers are lawyers from King & Spalding. Partner James Unger and Senior Associate Germaine Habell accepted the Katharine Krause Award on behalf of the law firm.

Luncheon organizers said the event raised nearly $900,000.

From left: Senior Staff Attorney Bindhu Varghese, James Unger, Germaine Habell and Senior Paralegal Eric Quizhpi

Board President Kenneth Trujillo-Jamison, managing partner at Willenken LLP, said the mission is personal to him because members of his own family experienced housing instability. He described access to housing as a "core belief" behind his involvement with the organization.

Emhoff, a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and longtime entertainment litigator in Los Angeles, received the organization's Humanitarian Award. He told the crowd that his commitment to law began with a dislike of "bullies" and a desire to stand beside vulnerable people navigating intimidating legal systems.

"Rights do not protect themselves. Democracy itself does not protect itself," Emhoff said. "It's us people who have to defend it, especially now."

Emhoff urged lawyers to continue supporting public interest organizations and pro bono work, calling legal aid attorneys "some of the toughest and most impressive lawyers and people" he has encountered in his career.

He also warned that public interest law and constitutional protections face growing political pressure nationwide.

"This is the time to push back," Emhoff said. "This is the time to continue to support groups like Inner City Law Center."