Legal Services Alabama (LSA) is proud to announce the distinguished recipients of its annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the pursuit of justice through legal advocacy in Alabama.
Guy Lescault, LSA Executive Director, thanks the Justice, Fairness & Hope Awards Host Committee for their selection of the 2026 award recipients.
“Each award recipient has demonstrated their commitment to advancing access to justice in Alabama and reflect the leadership of the three individuals for whom the awards are named—Tommy Wells, Taze Shepard and John Lewis,” says Lescault.
LSA has served Alabama communities for over two decades, providing critical support to individuals facing legal challenges. The Justice, Fairness & Hope Awards provides an opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional individuals who have played pivotal roles in advancing access to justice across the state, while raising funds to endow the next class of LSA John Lewis Legal Fellows.
Tommy wells access to justice award
Judge Myron Thompson
A longtime federal jurist serving on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Judge Myron Thompson was appointed in 1980 and later served as Chief Judge from 1991 to 1998. He has presided over numerous significant cases involving civil rights, voting rights, prison conditions, policing practices, and redistricting, earning recognition for his thoughtful and impactful decisions. He has also been active in preserving civil rights history in Alabama and has received multiple awards for his contributions to public service and the legal profession.
Taze Shepard Pro Bono Fairness Award
Attorneys Tom Perry & Tom Heflin |
Harvesters of Hope
Harvesting Hope is an initiative of the Alabama State Bar launched in 2024 during Tom Perry’s term as president and was developed in collaboration with attorney Tom Heflin to address serious gaps in legal representation in rural areas across the state. The campaign was organized in response to data that demonstrated rural geographies in Alabama have too few lawyers, creating “legal deserts” where residents lack meaningful access to legal services. Perry and Heflin dubbed these regions “Legal Opportunity Zones” and worked to recruit and support attorneys who could establish a consistent presence in these rural areas. The initiative also helped form a nonprofit foundation, Harvesters of Hope, to continue the initiative’s success long-term.
John Lewis Hope Award
State Senator Vivian Figures
Vivian Figures is a longtime Alabama public servant and respected civil rights leader who has represented Mobile in the Alabama State Senate for decades. Throughout her career, she has been a steady voice on issues such as education, economic development, voting rights, and criminal justice, earning a reputation for principled leadership and deep community ties. She is part of a distinguished family legacy of public service including her late husband, Michael Figures, who served as a U.S. Senator from Alabama, and her son, Shomari Figures, who serves as the Representative for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
LSA’s 7th Annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards luncheon will take place at noon on May 7 at the RSA Activity Center, 201 Dexter Ave Montgomery, AL 36104. LSA looks forward to the continued collaboration with its dedicated partners, supporters, and the broader community as it works to fulfill its mission of increased access to justice for all in Alabama.
