Congratulations to Laura Graham on receiving the Commitment Award at the Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) 2025 Christopher W. White Access Justice Awards Breakfast, in recognition of her 19 years of outstanding advocacy and dedication to Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) and our clients.
The Commitment Award is presented annually “to a member of the Bar who has demonstrated a sterling commitment to pro bono work throughout his or her career by dedicating time and energy to the support and provision of legal services.”
It was especially meaningful to see Laura recognized with this award because it honors the legacy of another extraordinary CLASI attorney, Chris White, our former executive director and a tireless advocate for vulnerable and underserved Delawareans.
Laura has similarly dedicated her legal career to serving Delawareans in need. Since joining CLASI as a staff attorney in 2006, she has assisted thousands of clients, including victims of domestic violence and other violent crime, families living in poverty, and people experiencing homelessness and hunger, working at a pace few could match to help them achieve safety, stability, and justice.
Laura most recently served as CLASI’s Deputy Diretory, and oversaw our Domestic Violence, Immigration, and Medical-Legal Partnership practices. She has also engaged in signifcant systemic and legislative advocacy efforts. She has been a respected leader in the domestic violence advocacy community, serving on the Delaware Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC) and chairing the Family Justice Center Steering Committee for the DVCC.
Her skill, passion, and commitment to obtaining justice for our clients have been a constant inspiration to all of her CLASI colleagues, and we are thrilled to see her honored with this award as her time as a legal aid attorney comes to a close. In September, she began a new role as Director of Legal Affairs with the Delaware Family Court, where she will continue working to promote access to justice across the state.
Thank you to everyone who gathered to honor and support the pro bono efforts of the Delaware legal community at the Access to Justice Awards, including Sen. Bryan Townsend who presented the Access to Justice Tribute to the DSBA and Rep. Krista Griffith who presented the Pro Bono Celebration Week Tribute to our partners at Delaware Volunteer Legal Services.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners for their exemplary efforts to advance access to justice in Delaware:
Achievement Award – Zoe Plerhoples
Commitment Award – Laura Graham
Leadership Award – The Levinson Firm
Service to Children Award – Kathryn Lunger
Legal Professional Pro Bono Service Award – Susanne Whitney