MAYER BROWN RECEIVES “OUTSTANDING LEGAL ADVOCACY” AWARD

Mayer Brown received Disability Rights Maryland’s (DRM) ”Outstanding Legal Advocacy” award for the firm’s commitment to ensuring justice for people with disabilities.

As joint pro-bono counsel with The Washington Lawyers’ Committee on the case of Rodney Coster v. Harford County Sheriff’s Office et al., Mayer Brown demonstrated “exceptional dedication, creativity, and perseverance,” according to DRM.

Mr. Coster sued defendants in Harford County for unlawfully and violently restraining and arresting him after he arrived at the Harford County Detention Center. In October 2023, the parties reached an agreement that included damages for Mr. Coster and systemic policy changes aimed at diverting individuals with behavioral health disabilities from unnecessary interactions with law enforcement.

“Together with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, the Mayer Brown team offered unparalleled litigation expertise, collegiality, and exceptional dedication to improving law enforcement’s response to others experiencing a mental health crisis in the future,” said Luciene Parsley, litigation director at DRM.

The Mayer Brown team was led by partner Alex Lakatos, and included counsel Michelle Webster, and associates Cloe Anderson, Katie Aragon, Eliel Flores, Vionna Moore, Tara More, Daniel Pearson, Joshua Raftis, and Kelly Truesdale.

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