Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan, Esq.

2023 Leadership Awardee

For our 20th Anniversary celebration, VRLC was honored to present the 2023 Leadership Awardee to Attorney Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan for her recent triumph leading the legal team representing writer E. Jean Carroll in her sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against a former U.S. President. At a time when perpetrators are weaponizing systems to retaliate against victims, this victory was a vital step in building a culture of accountability and belief for survivors.

Hailed by the Washington Post as a “crusader for underdogs who has won almost every legal accolade imaginable,” Attorney Kaplan’s long list of notable courtroom conquests include Charlottesville white supremacists, Hollywood power players, the Defense of Marriage Act, and even a former U.S. President.

We are particularly delighted to have writer and columnist E. Jean Carroll introduce Attorney Kaplan, VRLC’s 2023 Leadership Awardee.

Madeleine Rodriguez, Esq.

2023 Shining Star Awardee

Madeleine “Maddy” Rodriguez, a partner at Foley Hoag, is a litigator whose practice is built on a strong foundation of state, federal, and international trial and arbitration experience. As Co- Chair of the firm’s Education practice, Maddy principally represents colleges and universities in civil cases, internal and regulatory investigations, and settlement negotiations. She also represents foreign States, State-controlled entities, and multinational corporations in U.S. federal courts and investment treaty disputes before international arbitral tribunals. Maddy has been a VRLC pro bono attorney since 2017.  She has taken on interlocutory appeals on Rule 17 cases, helping to ensure survivor privacy; and has steadfastly been available to VRLC attorneys for last-minute questions, editing Rule 17 filings, and helping VRLC become more involved in the appellate space. Maddy’s expertise has been invaluable for VRLC and survivors.

Stephen Bartlett, Esq.

2023 Shining Star Awardee

Stephen “Steve” Bartlett, an Associate at Foley Hoag, counsels both public and private clients operating in heavily regulated industries on energy and environmental disputes, real estate, transportation and infrastructure projects and state and federal regulatory compliance issues. He also has extensive experience advising medical and adult use cannabis companies on complex state licensing questions and related regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. Steve has been volunteering as a VRLC pro bono attorney since 2017. He has been a zealous advocate for some of VRLC’s most vulnerable clients, including adult survivors of childhood sexual assault; and has collaborated with other pro bono attorneys to help moot several appeals cases throughout the years. Steve has made an incredible difference in the lives of so many survivors.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon

2023 Champion Awardee

Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s (Shook’s) reputation as a trial litigation powerhouse is founded on long-standing collaborations with industry leaders in science, health and technology. Working at the intersection of litigation, regulation and public policy, the firm’s attorneys stay ahead of emerging issues to help companies execute their long-term objectives. Shook has been an exceptional pro bono partner with VRLC since 2021. Shook lawyers have contributed well over 3,000 hours to our projects, completing updates to our national practice manual, researching extensive legal questions to update national law surveys, and conducting topic-specific research to help us create new national legal resources. VRLC’s national training and technical assistance team could never conduct the breadth and depth of legal research that Shook has conducted, which makes a tremendous difference on the services provided to survivors throughout the country.  What’s most impressive is that this important work is just part of the firm’s larger pro bono program.  In fact, VRLC learned that last year, Shook experienced a 34% increase in average hours and a 65% increase in attorney participation across all U.S. offices, deepening the firm’s commitment to clients like Victim Rights Law Center.

VRLC Client

2023 Courage Awardee