Don Verrilli Recognized by the DC LGBTQ+ Bar Association with 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

Munger, Tolles & Olson Partner Don Verrilli was recognized by the District of Columbia (DC) LGBTQ+ Bar Association as the 2025 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Don was honored on June 23 during the Bar Association’s annual Pride celebration at Steptoe LLP in Washington, D.C.

This year’s event celebrated 10 years of marriage equality with the historic decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in the United States. Don served as U.S. Solicitor General from 2011 to 2016 and argued the case before the U.S. Supreme Court. As Solicitor General, Don advocated for marriage equality and emphasized same-sex couples’ fundamental right to marry and equal protection under the law.

The Supreme Court held in a 5-to-4 decision that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause guarantee the fundamental right to marry for same-sex couples. The ruling effectively struck down state-level bans and legal battles.