Washington, DC – Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Assistant Attorney General Brandes Ash has been honored as one of the National Bar Association’s “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates” for 2015. The prestigious honor recognizes “the nation’s top lawyers under 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, including in innovation, vision, leadership and legal and community involvement,” according to a press release from the association.

“Congratulations to Brandes Ash for this well-deserved honor,” said Attorney General Karl A. Racine. “She, like so many other OAG staff members, works to the fullest of her abilities every day to ensure that the legal business of the District of Columbia is carried out with integrity and excellence.”

Ms. Ash, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, holds a J.D. from Howard University School of Law. A native of Baltimore, she works in OAG’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD), where she litigates child support cases and represents the District in negotiating consent orders and conducting contested hearings.
 
Deputy Attorney General Benidia Rice, who heads CSSD, also praised Ms. Ash. “Brandes is truly a rising star. Her hard work and passion for helping children and families is commendable,” she said. “It is inspiring to see a young attorney dedicate herself to helping others, and I am confident that she will continue to grow professionally and be a role model for other young lawyers.”

The honorees are chosen by an independent panel from a large group of nominees. Other members of the “40 Under 40” list this year include attorneys from the private, government and nonprofit sectors. The award will be given at a July 23 luncheon in Los Angeles during the association’s 90th Annual Convention. The National Bar Association, founded in 1925, is the nation’s oldest and largest network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. The association counts approximately 60,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students among its membership.