Joshua Sohn, New York, Litigation

Josh’s pro bono practice has focused on impact litigation in recent years. In one case, he is challenging the constitutionality of the federal government’s extraordinary renditions program, which sends individuals around the world for interrogation. In another, he is litigating the constitutionality of New York State and New York City’s use of two standardized tests (the NTE Core Battery and the LAST) as certification requirements for public school teachers because the tests have a demonstrable disparate impact on African-American and Latino test takers. Additionally, Josh advised a New York City nonprofit organization regarding the constitutionality of a New York City policy that required third-grade students to pass two standardized tests in order to progress to fourth grade.

In recognition of his pro bono work in 2004, Josh received the firm’s Pro Bono Associate of the Year in the senior associate category. In April 2005, he received the New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award in the young lawyer category. In 2005, Josh was also given the President’s Award by the Center for Constitutional Rights, an honor the CCR usually bestows on senior lawyers who have dedicated decades of their lives to civil rights work.