Llewelyn G. Pritchard of Bellevue, a partner at the law firm of Helsell Fetterman, will be honored at the American Bar Associations semi-annual meeting with the Father Drinan Distinguished Service Award.

The award is given to a deserving attorney each year by the American Bar Association’s Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities for of extraordinary contributions in protecting and advancing human rights, civil liberties and social justice.

The award is named for a Jesuit Priest and former Massachusetts Congressman Father Robert F. Drinan. This is the first time that the award will be given to an attorney from the state of Washington.

In announcing the award, current section chair Richard J. Podell said, “Llew Pritchard is what’s right and good about the ABA. He sacrifices his personal time and resources to help others less fortunate. He has an indefatigable commitment to making the American Bar Association more responsive to the needs of our country and the world today.”

Throughout his career, Pritchard has taken a special interest in providing a voice to those who leave their own countries in pursuit of the American ideals of opportunity, justice and freedom. He also has been active in seeking civil liberties for gay, lesbian and transgender individuals and legal rights for immigrants, refugees and newcomers.

Pritchard has served on numerous community boards including the Seattle Symphony, Allied Arts of Seattle, Allied Arts Foundation and Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural and Charitable Organizations (PONCHO). He has also been an active member of the boards of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Northwest, Eastside YMCA, Betty Bowen Committee of the Seattle Art Museum and the Museum of Glass. For more than three decades he served as a member of the board of trustees and executive committee of the University of Puget Sound.