Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris and legendary performer Rita Moreno will be honored at Public Counsel’s annual event on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Beverly Hills. Harris is set to receive the William O. Douglas Award, while Moreno will be presented with the Trailblazer in the Arts Award.
Recognizing Justice and Artistic Excellence
The William O. Douglas Award Dinner is an annual gathering of over 1,000 leaders from the legal, political, philanthropic, business, and entertainment sectors. The event serves to support the work of Public Counsel and recognize individuals whose achievements have significantly advanced equality and justice.
Kathryn Eidmann, President and CEO of Public Counsel, praised Harris for her career-long commitment to the public. “Her leadership has helped advance civil rights, expand opportunity, and uphold equal justice and dignity for all,” Eidmann stated.
A Legacy of Public Service
Kamala D. Harris served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025, becoming the first woman to hold the office. Her career began in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office before she served as the District Attorney of San Francisco.
During her time in San Francisco, Harris implemented the Back on Track program, which became a national model for reducing recidivism. She later served as California’s Attorney General and a U.S. Senator, where she worked on immigrant and voting rights, corporate fraud, and the Affordable Care Act.
As Vice President, Harris focused on climate investment, reproductive rights, and economic opportunity. She too cast a record number of tie-breaking votes while working to strengthen global alliances.
A Trailblazer in the Arts
Rita Moreno is being recognized for a career spanning more than eight decades across stage, television, and film. She is one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, in addition to a Golden Globe.
Moreno’s work includes over 70 films and acclaimed roles in London’s West Complete and on Broadway. Her cultural contributions have earned her the National Medal of Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Peabody Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
Corporate Commitment to Pro Bono Work
The event will also present the Law Firm Pro Bono Award to Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. The firm has spent over eight decades committing to public service, including major litigation to support vulnerable immigrant children.
The firm continues to utilize initiatives at the intersection of social impact, technology, and law to expand access to justice.
Evening Program and Past Honorees
The evening will be emceed by actor, producer, and director Jason George alongside Tanya Acker, a civil litigator, host of The Tanya Acker Indicate podcast, and co-host of Hot Bench. Poet Amanda Gorman is scheduled to deliver a special reading.
Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba will present the William O. Douglas Award to Kamala Harris, with further presenters to be announced. The event follows a tradition of honoring high-profile figures such as Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Jane Fonda.
Other past recipients include Governor Gavin Newsom, Viola Davis, John Legend, Elie Wiesel, and Reverend James M. Lawson Jr.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the Public Counsel event accept place?
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Beverly Hills.
What is EGOT status, and how does it apply to Rita Moreno?
EGOT status refers to winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Rita Moreno is one of the few artists to achieve this, having won all four, as well as a Golden Globe.
What was the “Back on Track” program?
The Back on Track program was established by Kamala Harris during her tenure as the District Attorney of San Francisco and became a national model for reducing recidivism.
Which of these honorees’ contributions to justice and the arts do you find most impactful?
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