Washington, DC (Apr. 13, 2018) – On Tuesday, April 10, the Immigrant Defense Project (IDP), at its 20th Anniversary Gala – "An Evening Celebrating 20 years of Fighting for Justice and Human Rights" – in New York City, presented National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Executive Director Norman L. Reimer with its Champion of Justice Award. On receiving the award, presented by IDP Founder and Senior Counsel Manny Vargas, Mr. Reimer delivered remarks to those attending the event.

"IDP is proud to honor Norman Reimer for his early and continued efforts to ensure the rights of immigrants in the criminal justice system," said Manny Vargas, IDP Founder and Senior Counsel. "As Executive Director of NACDL, Norman has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in promoting collaboration between the criminal defense and immigrant justice communities, advocating for national policy reform to achieve justice for immigrants accused of crimes, and increasing access to clemency."

"Norman Reimer is a lifelong warrior for justice, fairness, and equality for all people, immigrant and non-immigrant alike. He is richly deserving of this recognition from the advocates at the Immigrant Defense Project," said NACDL President Rick Jones. "This award comes as no surprise to those of us who know and have worked with Norman. His selfless commitment to the principles embodied in NACDL’s mission and our nation’s Constitution manifests itself in all that he does. As NACDL President, I was proud to attend this milestone IDP event and to see Norman recognized for his extraordinary work. His remarks, as always, were powerful and timely."

Mr. Reimer has served as executive director of NACDL since 2006, prior to which he practiced as a criminal defense lawyer for 28 years, based in New York City. He served as president of the New York County Lawyers’ Association, and he has served as a delegate to both the American Bar Association House of Delegates and the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates. Mr. Reimer also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York Law School, where he taught Trial Practice from 1990 until 2004.

Mr. Reimer’s April 10, 2018, prepared remarks at the IDP 20th Anniversary Gala are available here.

Contacts

Ivan Dominguez, NACDL Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications, (202) 465-7662 or idominguez@nacdl.org

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal legal system.