Sidley has been honored with the “Friend of Adoption Award” at the National Council For Adoption's (NCFA) annual awards. The accolade recognizes the firm's pro bono representation of NCFA in a challenge to a State Department guidance document that ended with a unanimous 3 – 0 victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Washington, D.C. associate Daniel Hay led the briefing effort and successfully argued the case in the D.C. Circuit. The Sidley team also included Washington, D.C. partners Kwaku A. Akowuah and C. Frederick Beckner III and associate Alaric Smith.
Since 1980, NCFA has advocated for ethical, sound policies and services regarding adoption in an inclusive, non-partisan way. NCFA monitors federal and state legislation, addressing policies and laws that create barriers to children finding the families they deserve. The “Friend of Adoption Award” is presented annually in recognition of significant contributions made to the field of adoption by an individual or organization. Past recipients of the award include Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.