Equal Justice Works Announces 2026 Scales of Justice Honorees

Juliette Pryor will receive the Scales of Justice Award, and Pfizer will be recognized for its longstanding support of Equal Justice Works Fellowships 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 1, 2026 — Equal Justice Works today announced that Juliette Pryor, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Lowe’s, will receive the 2026 Scales of Justice Award for her commitment to expanding access to justice. In celebration of the organization’s 40th anniversary, Pfizer will also be recognized with a Cornerstone Award for more than two decades of investment in Equal Justice Works Fellowships. 

The Scales of Justice Award celebrates individuals who have made an extraordinary commitment to strengthening the public interest legal sector and ensuring communities across the country have access to legal representation.  

“Equal Justice Works invests in public interest lawyers and advocates who show up for communities every day, often with limited resources and enormous stakes,” said Pryor. “I’m honored to be recognized and proud to support the leaders working to close the access to justice gap.” 

Pryor is a nationally respected legal executive with more than 30 years of experience leading corporate legal teams. Throughout her career, she has combined professional excellence with a commitment to service and equity in the legal profession. Through her mentorship, she has built a legacy of talent development for other supporters of the public interest legal profession. She has received multiple honors recognizing her leadership and lasting impact across the legal field.

She has maintained a longstanding partnership with Equal Justice Works, previously serving on the Board of Directors and continuing her involvement through the Board of Counselors. Over many years, Pryor has sponsored Fellows through her leadership roles at three different companies. The Fellowships she has sponsored have supported projects addressing civil rights, housing security, and other critical legal needs.  

Equal Justice Works will also recognize Pfizer for its enduring commitment to public interest law and Equal Justice Works Fellowships.

Since 2004, Pfizer has supported Equal Justice Works Fellows addressing critical legal needs in communities across the country, with projects focusing on health care, disability rights, and child advocacy. Pfizer has been the top corporate sponsor of Equal Justice Works Fellowships, and in honor of Equal Justice Works’ 40th anniversary, Pfizer is sponsoring its 40th Fellow this year. Accepting the award on behalf of the corporation will be Doug Lankler, the Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President.  

“Access to justice is sustained by the people and partners who choose to invest in it year after year,” said Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works. “Juliette’s commitment to our mission and Pfizer’s decades of support for our Fellowship program have helped countless communities receive the legal representation they deserve.”

Pryor and Pfizer will be honored at Equal Justice Works’ 2026 Scales of Justice celebration on October 22, 2026. The annual event convenes leaders from the legal, corporate, philanthropic, and public interest communities in support of public interest law.