SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2021: Morgan Lewis partner Joan Haratani has been selected as a recipient of the 2021 Margaret Brent Women Lawyer of Achievement Award by the American Bar Association. Named after the first female lawyer in the United States, the Margaret Brent Award recognizes women lawyers across the country who have achieved professional excellence in their practice areas and paved the way to success for other women lawyers.
Joan was recognized for her extensive work and leadership experience, as well as her community involvement and mentorship activities. Joan is the third recipient of this award who also has received the ABA’s Spirit of Excellence Award.
“These distinguished honorees are true trailblazers who serve as inspiring role models and have worked tirelessly to improve our profession,” wrote Maureen Mulligan, chair of the ABA’s Commission on Women in the Profession, in notifying Joan of her recognition.
Over more than three decades, Joan has honed practical, goal-oriented, strategic thinking, and courtroom skills in high-exposure cases. Joan defends her clients in class actions, from product liability litigation, to complex licensing agreements, to trade secret indemnity issues. While her litigation experience spans industries, including retail and finance, she focuses much of her current practice on the banking and finance industries. Joan is currently a member of the Morgan Lewis Advisory Board and is a member of the board of directors of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. She is a former president of The Bar Association of San Francisco.
Joan is the only honoree this year in private practice. The other honorees are: Hon. Irma Gonzales, US District Judge (retired), San Diego, California; Joyce Hughes, professor, Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago; Pamela Karlan, principle deputy assistant attorney general, Civil Rights Division, US Department of Justice; and Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon attorney general. The virtual awards ceremony to recognize all honorees will be held on August 5.