Carl Lietz, a favorite son and alumnus of the Federal Defender Program and star lawyer at Finch McCranie, LLP, is this year’s winner of the Thomas J. (“Jake”) Waldrop Truth & Justice Award. The Criminal Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association feted Carl at last week’s ceremony, an event attended by Jake’s marvelous family, Vivian and Graham, and by Carl’s own marvelous family (see Team Lietz below).
Here is a description of the award:
The award is presented annually to an attorney practicing criminal law in Atlanta who embodies and exemplifies a passion and dedication for true justice. The award recipient can come from any aspect of the criminal bar, whether it be prosecuting at a state or federal level, serving as a public defender, or maintaining a private practice. This award was created in honor and memory of our friend and colleague Jake Waldrop, a career attorney for the Federal Defender Program. Jake was a warrior for justice. His focus was never about winning or losing. It was about getting it right. He lived this out in his professional career as well as in his service to the community.
The Truth and Justice Award acknowledges the achievements and contributions of attorneys who have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in their legal practice as well as an uncommon commitment to protecting and promoting a fair justice system.
And this excerpt from Carl’s passionate (and compassionate) remarks:
What about the lawyer who defends the guilty man? Jake called upon us to look at him in a different way and to look at ourselves in a different way. This is the true test of the criminal justice system and of all of us as individuals.
Here is a link to the Criminal Law Section’s award page. And a link to Carl’s page on the Finch McCranie website. Past winners of the Waldrop Award: Suzanne Hashimi, Jimmy Hardy, Rick Deane, and Steve Bright.
Carl, although you told us “I don’t deserve this award,” you do.