Jaya Saxena, Director of Dean's Diversity & Inclusion Initiative and Assistant Director at GW Law's Career Center, was the 2017 recipient of the Above and Beyond Award. She was honored by the Washington Council of Lawyers for her contributions within the organization. Ms. Saxena attended the organization's award ceremony on December 5, 2017, which recognized the outstanding contributions of lawyers who perform exceptional pro bono and public-interest work.
Ms. Saxena joined the organization's Board in 2014 and currently serves as Vice President and co-chair of the Membership Committee. In addition to coordinating the organization's Dinner & Discussion series and Happy Hours and contributing to its diversity efforts, she has also volunteered for major, difficult projects and takes on different tasks, such as helping the organization find spacious venues, coordinating catering and security, and handling many behind-the-scenes details that enabled certain events to proceed. This includes helping to facilitate the Washington Council of Lawyers 2017 Summer Pro Bono and Public Interest Forum at the Marvin Center. The event featured Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the keynote speaker.
In an announcement released by the organization, Ms. Saxena is described as an "enthusiastic and dedicated" individual. "If Jaya is on a project, it's as good as done—and done well. She epitomizes what it means to go above and beyond."
"It's a wonderful honor and I feel so fortunate to be a part of an inspiring and committed community of people," Ms. Saxena said.