May 11, 2026
Danny Zemel Receives 2026 Lewis F. Powell Jr. Pro Bono Award
Danny Zemel has been awarded the 2026 Lewis F. Powell Jr. Pro Bono Award, given by the Access to Legal Services Committee of the Virginia State Bar to honor an attorney who has made outstanding pro bono contributions in the Commonwealth. Zemel, an associate of The Kurdys Law Firm in Richmond, was nominated by Lauren King and Maisie Osteen of the Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC).
King said Zemel is the backbone of the Pro Bono Housing Unit and has over double the hours of the most active volunteer in the LAJC. "Danny is a zealous advocate for low-income Richmond tenants, providing aggressive and compassionate representation in eviction cases," King said. "[He] often sees people at their lowest point, and always treats clients with dignity and compassion."
Despite being a very busy federal civil rights litigator, King says Zemel is always the first volunteer in her program to put his hand up when a new client needs help. "Danny shows the power and impact that attorneys at smaller firms can have on pro bono," she said. "[He] is putting up incredible pro bono numbers on his own that outpace volunteers at Richmond's big firms."
Osteen said Zemel is a stand-out in his role at the LAJC, and what can be put into a nomination letter describing his work cannot express how much value he delivers. "Danny is also a co-instructor with LAJC attorneys of the Civil Rights Clinic at the University of Virginia, where he is teaching the next generation of public interest and pro bono attorneys," Osteen said. "In addition to his major volunteer time commitment, Danny offers advice and consultation to several Richmond individuals and families, who are referred from LAJC, about pathways to justice for police misconduct, prison conditions issues, and other downfalls of the criminal legal system."
Beyond the hours that Zemel has dedicated to teaching and representing individuals, Osteen adds that he is a great individual. "He is interested in providing the best quality care and representation to every individual with whom he interacts," she said. "Danny recognizes human dignity and embodies what the Pro Bono Committee envisions of its volunteers."
Zemel will receive his award at the VSB's Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach.