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MWELA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes sustained dedication to protecting the rights of employees in the Washington metropolitan area, and as a leader in our community. The award is reserved for occasions when the accomplishments of an individual are so extraordinary that they should be recognized. 2026: David Cashdan, celebrating a monumental 61-year career dedicated to the advancement of workers' rights and the mentorship of the plaintiff-side employment bar. A foundational figure in our legal community, David was instrumental in the formation of MWELA, serving as its second President and maintaining a continuous presence on the Board of Directors since its inception. His legal legacy is inextricably linked to the evolution of Title VII itself; joining the EEOC just months after it opened in 1965, he pioneered the agency’s amicus curiae program and contributed to seminal cases such as Griggs v. Duke Power and Quarles v. Phillip Morris. In private practice, David broke new ground with landmark class actions like Bell v. AAA, which secured multi-million dollar remedies and innovative settlements. Beyond his litigation success, David’s commitment to the profession is evidenced by his leadership in NELA, his founding of the Chet Levitt Fund for Employment Law to assist fellow litigators, and his decades of selfless mentorship to generations of attorneys. His induction into the Washingtonian “Hall of Fame” and this Lifetime Achievement Award stand as a testament to a career defined by profound service, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. 2025: Daniel Katz, posthumously presented, recognizing a career defined by an unwavering commitment to workplace justice and the protection of low-income and immigrant workers. As a Partner and Senior Counsel at Gilbert Employment Law, Daniel was a pillar of the plaintiffs' employment bar, known for his relentless advocacy in wage and hour and discrimination litigation. A true servant-leader, he was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Employment Justice Center and dedicated countless hours to providing pro bono services through organizations such as First Shift, the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau, and the Public Justice Center. Beyond his litigation success, Daniel was a cherished mentor and a long-standing leader within MWELA, MELA, and NELA. This award celebrated his profound legal expertise, generosity of spirit, and lasting impact he made on the lives of workers and the colleagues he inspired throughout his distinguished career. 2024: Joseph D. Gebhardt, a Harvard Law School graduate and long-standing leader in the legal community, Joseph serves as Of Counsel at Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. and served as a vital member of the MWELA Board of Directors. His career is marked by high-level service beyond the courtroom, including his appointment to the Moore-Miller Transition Team Steering Committee for the State of Maryland and his induction into the Washingtonian Top Lawyers Hall of Fame. This award celebrates his unwavering commitment to workplace justice, his elite legal expertise, and his decades of leadership and mentorship within the plaintiff-side employment bar. 2022: Richard T. Seymour was not only an icon in his profession, but an MWELA member who stood out. He was always willing to step in and support his colleagues, answering calls for help on the listserve on a regular basis. Rick also served on moot court panels and co-counseling of cases. In addition, Rick was an active MWELA Board Member and a sound voice of reason.
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