Right to Democracy recognized Skadden as its 2024 "Democracy Champion" during its recent Building a Movement event in Washington, D.C.

Skadden serves as Right to Democracy's pro bono counsel in Borja v. United States, a case arguing that democracy and political rights for U.S. citizens should not depend upon where you happen to live. A decision in Borja is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Over the years, Skadden has provided Right to Democracy and its predecessor organizations more than 4,500 hours of pro bono legal representation, from federal district court to the U.S. Supreme Court to international tribunals. This has ranged from cases seeking to ensure democracy and political rights to cases seeking the equal application of federal benefits for low-income, disabled and elderly people in U.S. territories. Skadden Partner Geoffrey Wyatt has provided a throughline for Skadden's pro bono work over the years.

Right to Democracy Co-Directors Adi Martínez Román and Neil Weare with Skadden Partner Parker Rider-Longmaid (far right) and Don Salzman, DC Pro Bono Counsel (second from left).

"Skadden has been a committed partner to advancing democracy, equity, and self-determination for people in U.S. territories. It has been my pleasure to work with them for more than a decade and it has been striking how much the conversation around these issues has shifted in that period of time. We look forward to continuing to partner with Skadden to advance the right to democracy in our islands," said Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy.

"Our Democracy Champion award is inscribed on a conch shell, which is a symbol used across all five territories to call people together for action. In the Caribbean, it was also used by enslaved people as a symbol of freedom and empowerment. Skadden's commitment to pro bono, like the conch shell, has served to amplify the voices of people in the territories as we work towards democracy and self-determination," said Adi Martínez Román, co-director of Right to Democracy. 

View a short video of the presentation of the 2024 Democracy Champion award here. 

Right to Democracy Director Adi Martínez Román during RtD's Learning Session at Skadden

Skadden hosted Right to Democracy last month for the D.C.-leg of its Building a Movement tour, which seeks to educate and engage partners across the United States to advance democracy, equity, and self-determination in U.S. territories.  

If you are interested in learning more about Right to Democracy's work, check out our new report Building a Movement: Democracy, Equity, and Self-Determination in U.S. Territories. 

You can also become a Founding Donor of Right to Democracy here.