Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs in recognition of the firm’s successful pro bono representation of former employees of Gali Services Industries in their wage theft lawsuit against their previous employer. The firm received the award at the 2022 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon on June 1, 2022. For more information about the event, click here.

When Gali Services Industries discontinued its business in 2018, it terminated workers’ employment without notice and failed to pay its employees’ wages, accrued leave or benefits for weeks of work prior to the business closing. Debevoise and the Committee filed a lawsuit against Gali Services Industries on behalf of 330 former employees, and in October 2021, the court issued a default judgment of $742,430 in unpaid wages, overtime and other damages. The firm continues to represent its clients to enforce the judgment against the employer.

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs partners with the private bar and nonprofits to provide legal assistance to individuals and communities who experience violations of their civil rights. Each year, lawyers and law firms contribute thousands of hours to help communities facing discrimination achieve justice. During the Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon, the Committee recognizes these important law firm and advocacy organization partnerships through its Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Debevoise team is led by litigation counsel Anna Moody and includes associates Bobby Papazian, Noelle Lyle and Berk Guler. Former counsel Ada Fernandez Johnson previously led the team.