The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) announced Nelson Mullins is among the 40 law firms honored with the 2024 Beacon of Justice Award, which recognizes firms for their pro bono efforts related to civil and human rights issues. NLADA is a large nonprofit organization devoted to providing legal services for those who cannot afford counsel.

In the April 17 announcement, NLADA said, "The 2024 Beacon of Justice honorees have demonstrated an understanding of the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and other characteristics that may create interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. Our honorees have worked to address these complex challenges in their pro bono practice."

Nelson Mullins will be recognized alongside the other honorees at the annual NLADA Exemplar Awards Gala on June 6. Prior to this year, the firm also received the Beacon of Justice Award in 2022 and 2013. 

Nelson Mullins' Pro Bono Program strives for liberty and justice for all in legal need. The program was created with the mission to serve the less fortunate and nonprofits providing services in our communities and beyond. Pro bono is a tradition deeply rooted in our culture. In 2023 alone, the firm provided over 50,000 hours of pro bono service and has provided over 900,000 since the pro bono program’s inception in 1990.

Using the firm’s resources and collective strength as litigators, transactional attorneys and public policy advocates, the firm aims to defend human and civil rights, close justice gaps, advance equity, safeguard freedoms, obtain redress, and restore human dignity.