A team of Milbank LLP attorneys has been named recipients of The Legal Aid Society’s 2026 Pro Bono Publico Awards, which recognize outstanding service to The Legal Aid Society and its clients. The honored team consists of Tawfiq Rangwala, Melanie Westover Yanez, Davis Campbell and Jordan Samaroo.
In a pro bono civil rights case brought alongside The Legal Aid Society, the attorneys challenged the NYPD's unlawful access, disclosure and use of sealed juvenile records. Last fall, they secured class certification, a significant milestone in the effort to protect the rights of young New Yorkers whose records are sealed by law.
“Current NYPD practices violate not only the Criminal Procedure Law but also violate parallel and more sweeping protections established in the Family Court Act for juvenile arrest records. Both statutory frameworks share almost identical language and the same legislative intent — to ensure that individuals do not suffer ongoing harm from use of sealed arrest records,” said Lisa Freeman, Director and Attorney-in-Charge at The Legal Aid Society, Special Litigation and Law Reform, Juvenile Rights Practice. “The Milbank team has done a terrific job assisting us in litigating this challenge to the NYPD’s practice of unlawfully accessing, disclosing and using sealed juvenile records.”
Each year, The Legal Aid Society recognizes volunteer lawyers, law firms, corporations and other professionals who have given their time and talent to provide exceptional legal services to low-income New Yorkers. The awards were presented at a ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at The Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan. The event serves as an opportunity for The Legal Aid Society to thank the volunteers and organizations who support its work by providing pro bono assistance to its clients.
