The State of Washington Access to Justice Board named the University of Washington Information School as the 2011 recipient of the ATJ Community Leadership Award. The award is given in recognition of an individual or organization outside of the legal community that has "played a strategic, significant and courageous leadership role in improving access to the justice system for those who face economic or other significant barriers."

In a letter to Dean Harry Bruce about the iSchool's selection, Access to Justice Board Chair-elect Kirsten Barron wrote, "[W]hat the Information School is and does and what it teaches its students and the areas of its research and clinical initiatives can and indeed has realistic and significant import for equal and meaningful justice - both legal justice and social justice - in the community, the state, our nation, and indeed the world."

"This award is important to the Information School, but also our university," said Dean Bruce. "The university as a whole has dedicated itself to increasing social justice and reducing inequality. The UW Information School has been demonstrating expertise and commitment in this area, working with the Access to Justice Board for over a decade. The Board's recognition of the importance of this collaboration to their work is much appreciated, and honors the efforts of many at the iSchool and in our extended community who bring an exceptional amount of dedication to this important work."

Dean Bruce will receive the award on behalf of the iSchool in June.

More information about the Access to Justice Board can be found at www.wsba.org/atj.