An informative poster detailing the main goals of the organization greets attendees of the Street Law Awards dinner. Street Law, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides quality curricula, professional development, and resources to educate about law, democracy, and human rights.

The Honorable Paul D. Clement, former Solicitor General of the United States and recipient of the 2009 Chesterfield Smith Award, introduces Attorney General Holder the 2010 recipient of this prestigious award.

This award celebrates the example of public service that Chesterfield Smith’s life and career provides attorneys today. As Chairman of Street Law’s Board, as president of the American Bar Association, as a founding partner of Holland & Knight, and as an outspoken champion for the right to counsel, Chesterfield Smith transformed how America’s private sector viewed public and pro bono service.

Chesterfield Smith stood before my first year law school class and said, “If you don’t intend to work to improve the quality of justice, then I hope you flunk your exams.” This may sound harsh but it shows how seriously he took the responsibilities that attorneys share.

As Mr. Smith, I, too, believe that the privilege of earning a law degree, and of living a life in the law, comes with a condition – an ongoing obligation to advance the cause of justice and the quality of our legal system. Today’s Justice Department is acting on that obligation – not only by carrying on the long tradition of our traditional pro bono work, but, as of March 1, by launching our new Access to Justice Initiative.  Just as many of you have pro bono programs at your firms and corporations, I wanted to be sure that in our house, too, there was a permanent effort to provide access to justice and to work to continuously enhance the fairness and integrity of our legal system.