The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) has announced that Nelson Mullins is one of 33 law firms honored with the 2026 Beacon of Justice Award. The award recognizes firms for their efforts to promote equal justice for families and communities. NLADA is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel.

In the announcement made on June 25, NLADA President and CEO April Frazier Camara said, “Each year, the Beacon of Justice Awards shine a light on the legal community’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice is accessible to all. By honoring law firms for their efforts to protect democracy and civil rights, we celebrate the powerful impact of pro bono advocacy in expanding access to justice, safeguarding fundamental rights, and helping communities thrive across the country.” 

Nelson Mullins and the other Beacon of Justice award recipients will be recognized at the 2026 NLADA Exemplar Awards Gala on Sept. 24 in Washington, D.C. The firm also received the Beacon of Justice Award in 2025, 2024, 2022, and 2013.

Nelson Mullins’ Pro Bono Program uses the firm’s collective expertise to defend human and civil rights, close justice gaps, promote equity, safeguard freedom, obtain redress, and restore human dignity. Since the program’s inception more than 35 years ago, the firm has contributed more than 1 million hours to matters spanning children’s rights, healthcare access, housing, civil rights, and community revitalization. By standing with the most vulnerable and supporting nonprofits across the country, we are dedicated to fostering a more just and inclusive society.