Washington, DC (July 14, 2025) – Cincinnati, Ohio Attorney William R. Gallagher was awarded the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Champion of Justice Legal Education Award at the association’s annual meeting in Minneapolis, MN. Champion of Justice Awards are bestowed upon those individuals who – through legislative, journalistic, philanthropic, or humanitarian pursuits – have staunchly preserved or defended the constitutional rights of individuals in the United States and have endeavored to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime. Gallagher was recognized for his service as Chair of NACDL’s CLE Institute from 2009-2025.
Formerly a public defender with the Cook County Public Defender’s office, Gallagher is currently a partner at the criminal defense firm Arenstein & Gallagher. He is a frequent presenter on a variety of topics relating to criminal defense. His presentations have included topics such as "Opening Statements", "Evidentiary Issues in Drug Cases", "Professionalism", "Theories and Themes in Criminal Cases" and "The Use of Electronic and Digital Evidence in Criminal Trials." He is a past adjunct faculty member at DePaul University Law School and is currently on the adjunct faculty at the University of Cincinnati Law School. He has taught in the areas of Ethics, Trial Advocacy, and Forensic Sciences.
"I am truly touched by the recognition of this great organization,” said Bill Gallagher. “When asked to help form and then chair the CLE Institute by then President Jim Lavine and Norm Reimer, the Executive Director, I had no idea it would be 16 years later before I handed over the position. Working with the NACDL staff, and in particular [NACDL Chief Learning Officer] Gerald Lippert, has made all of this work so beneficial to so many and rewarding to me. I am honored and humbled by this award and will continue to work every day to be a champion of justice.”
Gallagher is a founding member of the Ohio Innocence Project located at the University of Cincinnati Law School and serves on its Advisory Board. He previously served as the president of the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as well as on NACDL’s Board of Directors. He created a non-profit “Friends to the Indigent" in 2010, which provides training and education financial support for those who represent the indigent accused in his community. He also serves as a member of the Hamilton County Public Defender Commission and as the CJA representative for the Southern District of Ohio.
Contacts
Jonathan Hutson, NACDL Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications, 202-480-5343 or jhutson@nacdl.org
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal legal system.
