Brownstein Attorneys Recognized with 2025 Jeffrey S. Rugg Pro Bono Award

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Jeffrey S. Rugg Pro Bono Award, which honors individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional commitment to meaningful pro bono work.

This year’s honorees—Shareholder Ryan Waterman, Associate Justin Bogda, Shareholder Brad Herrema, Staff Attorney Jennifer Lee, Associate Rachel Rockwell and Associate Kate Tipple—were recognized for their impactful efforts supporting survivors of human trafficking in Southern California.

Leveraging California’s criminal vacatur law, the team helped clients clear their criminal records—an essential step toward rebuilding their lives. When Free to Thrive transferred its Vacatur Program to the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program (SDVLP) and closed its doors, Waterman stepped up to ensure continuity of care by taking on all unassigned cases. Under his leadership, the team rallied to provide high-quality legal representation and keep these life-changing matters moving forward. In 2024 alone, they contributed 321 hours to this critical work.

“While we received several deserving nominations for this year’s Jeffrey S. Rugg Pro Bono Award, our Pro Bono Committee was especially impressed with the work of this team, as it spanned across three of our different offices, truly demonstrating the collaborate nature of pro bono work,” said Director of Pro Bono and Community Impact Jayme Ritchie. “Many survivors are burdened with criminal records tied directly to their exploitation, making it difficult to secure employment, housing, education and financial stability. Despite widespread efforts to prosecute traffickers, survivors frequently find themselves punished by the legal system instead of protected. We are very proud of this team who are using survivor-centered civil legal remedies to truly support survivors’ paths to recovery.”

Jamie Beck, former executive director of Free to Thrive, has consistently praised the team’s partnership, calling Brownstein’s lawyers “indispensable” to the success of vacatur matters.

“You are all so incredibly deserving of this recognition and this award, and I’m so grateful that the firm is honoring all of you for your incredible pro bono work and service to trafficking survivors,” she said.

The team was recognized at the firm’s 2025 All Attorney & Policy Retreat on Oct. 18. To see a video highlighting their important work, watch below.