The Civil Libertarian of the Year award is given by the ACLU of Nevada to individuals who have significantly contributed to the protection and advancement of civil liberties in Nevada. It was established in 2004 in honor of Emilie Wanderer, one of Las Vegas’s first female attorneys and a long-time civil rights advocate.
2017 |
Kathleen J. England![]() Kathleen Jane England, a Boston native, has been active in Nevada's legal community for decades. Ms. England helped to found the Nevada State Bar's Young Lawyer's Section, was active in many of the American Bar Association's sections (Young Lawyers, General Practice, Gavel Awards), and was appointed to the Nevada Supreme Court's Gender Bias Task Force. She chaired the first City of Las Vegas Ethics Review Board and the Nevada State Bar's Character & Fitness Committee. She also co-chaired a project with Habitat for Humanity for the local bar association. Ms. England served on the Nevada State Bar's Board of Governors for ten years (2001-2011) and was President of the Nevada State Bar from June 2009 to June 2010. The Nevada Supreme Court has appointed her to a number of commissions. Ms. England's clients have won substantial judgments in Title VII cases, including federal jury verdicts against Nevada Department of Prisons, SAKS Fifth Avenue, and Clark County Department of Aviation. She is active in many community organizations (Girl Scouts, homeless shelter, rape crisis shelter, Planned Parenthood) and has received many honors and awards. For over 30 years, Ms. England's civil litigation practice has been devoted to representing victims of discrimination and sexual violence.
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2016 |
Richard Siegel
![]() Richard Siegel became part of the earliest leadership of the ACLU of Nevada in 1967 about one year after the founding of the affiliate. From 2007 to 2014 he represented ACLU on Nevada’s Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice, on which he fought for moderation and reform of one of the country`s most punitive state criminal justice systems. Throughout his time with the ACLU, all as a volunteer, he was also a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at UNR. He specializes in International Human Rights and continues to the present to teach the course that he created on that subject. He has multiple publications in that area and others, many of which were published by Human Rights Quarterly.
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2015 |
Shelley Berkley![]() Shelley Berkley was the first woman to serve in Nevada’s First Congressional District, which she held for 7 terms. Berkley left her mark with a strong record of defending and advancing civil rights for the three decades she served in public office. When in Congress, she earned the title of “hardest working woman in politics” for her tireless work on issues that matter to Nevadans: Job creation, education, healthcare and renewable energy. Shelley was a champion for seniors, veterans, immigration reform, human rights, LGBT rights, and equal rights for women. Berkley now serves as CEO and Senior Provost, for Touro University’s Nevada and California campuses. |
2014 |
Yvanna Cancela![]() |
2013 |
Ruby Duncan![]() |
2012 |
The Las Vegas Review-Journal team who produced the series "Deadly Force: When Las Vegas Police Shoot, and Kill"![]() Although the ACLU of Nevada does not always agree with the Review-Journal’s positions on every civil rights and civil liberties issue, their work on this series was unprecedented in Nevada and is nationally outstanding. In addition, the ACLU of Nevada appreciates the Review-Journal’s serious, extensive, and ongoing attention to constitutional law issues through its news articles, editorials, and both staff and guest columns. |
2011 |
Chris Giunchigliani, Clark County Commissioner![]() |
2010 |
Franny Forsman, Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada![]() |
2009 |
David Parks, Nevada State Senator![]() David Parks works to promote equality and justice for all Nevadans. In addition to being a stalwart defender of civil rights, he was the chief sponsor of two bills in the 2009 Legislature that very significantly advanced equality and marked a truly watershed moment for LGBT rights in Nevada. SB 283 created a Domestic Partnership Registry, which grants rights and responsibilities similar to marriage to same or opposite sex couples. SB 207 banned discrimination in all public accommodations based upon sexual orientation. Neither of these bills would have been possible without the belief and perseverance of Senator Parks. |
2008 |
Jim and Beverly Rogers![]() |
2007 |
Dean Richard Morgan, Former Dean of the William S. Boyd School of Law![]() |
2006 |
Chief Justice Robert Rose, Nevada Supreme Court![]() |
2004 |
Emilie Wanderer![]() |