Tina Luongo, Chief Attorney of the Criminal Defense Practice at The Legal Aid Society, is being honored with the 2023 Legal Services Justice Awards from the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

The Legal Services Justice Award is presented to a Legal Services practitioner whose work on behalf of low-income, marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ and HIV+ communities has advanced the cause of justice and equity with excellence and compassion.

As Chief Attorney, Tina has presided over law reform, policy advocacy and affirmative litigation that have sought access to medical care for people held at Rikers Island; improved treatment of LGBTQIA+ people under the care of the NYC Department of Correction; and led efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability of NYPD officers for misconduct.

Throughout their career Luongo has focused on improving the lives of those that have found themselves on the brink, or within, the criminal justice system. They are dedicated to increasing the diversity of the public defense workforce and are integrally involved in The Legal Aid Society’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives which partners management and staff to improve staff diversity and provide cultural competency training, both internally and to external stakeholders in the criminal justice system. They have been an active voice in the movement to foster best practices in public defense and continue to be involved in the dialogue about how public defenders can create systemic change, as well as be zealous advocates for their clients.

In August 2023 Tina will be sworn in as the first gender non-conforming Chair of the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, after serving the section for many years in several key leadership roles. In that role, they will work with public and private criminal defense attorneys, State and Federal prosecutors, and esteemed members of the bench and academia to set the standards for racial equity and fairness in the criminal legal system and to strive to create opportunity and professional development for section members.

Congratulations to Tina who will be honored later this month at the Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair in Chicago.

Watch Tina’s acceptance speech below.