The Lawyers' Committee for Civil
Rights Under the Law of the Boston Bar Association presented Foley Hoag LLP associate Catherine
Deneke with a civil rights recognition award for her active pro bono and
civil rights practice at its 2011 Annual Reception on June 15 at the Boston
College Club.
The Lawyers' Committee recognizes select associates each year for their
commitment to civil rights and social justice. Foley Hoag partner Robert Toone
is a previous recipient of this award.
"Catherine joins an inspiring group of young lawyers who have committed
themselves to serving the public good," said Claire Laporte, a Foley Hoag
partner and the firm's pro bono coordinator. "This award is recognition of a job
well done, and I congratulate her on this outstanding achievement."
Deneke currently is working with co-counsel from the Lawyers' Committee to
vindicate the civil rights of a woman who was denied her choice of housing and
steered from a development based on her race. She also is part of the team of
attorneys who successfully challenged the constitutionality of Section 3 of the
Defense of Marriage Act in the District of Massachusetts and who are opposing
the government's appeal in the First Circuit.
In addition to her civil rights litigation work, Deneke also has extensive
experience litigating on behalf of survivors of domestic violence.
As a litigation associate, Deneke works on a wide variety of cases, including
complex contractual and intellectual property disputes. Outside of her legal
practice, Deneke is an active member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar
Association's Committee on Transgender Inclusion, which is working on the
passage of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill.
"I am honored to receive this award, but I also would like to thank the many
other great lawyers inside and outside of Foley Hoag who work on these cases
with me," Deneke said. "It truly takes a team effort to ensure justice for those
who may not otherwise have a voice in our legal system."