On September 17, Teach Democracy hosted its 2026 Annual Celebration at The Beverly Hilton. The evening centered on a simple idea; our democracy depends on people who are informed and engaged, now and for the next 250 years.
We honored two leaders who live out that idea. Brad D. Brian received the Bill of Rights Award, and Brian R. Michael received the Lloyd M. Smith Award.
The Bill of Rights Award
Brad D. Brian, Firm Chair of Munger, Tolles & Olson, received the Bill of Rights Award.
Brad received the award in recognition of his leadership in the legal community and his support for civic education. The firm has a long history with Teach Democracy, and Munger, Tolles & Olson lawyers have served on its board of directors..
In his acceptance speech, Brad described the principles that have guided his firm for nearly 65 years. Hire only the best lawyers, take on the toughest cases, and give back to the community.
He called the rule of law essential to our justice system and our democracy, and said the values at the heart of Teach Democracy’s mission, critical thinking and respectful dialogue, have not mattered more since the US Civil War.
He credited his father, a high school baseball coach for 51 years, with teaching him to compete fairly and respect his opponent.
The Lloyd M. Smith Award
Brian R. Michael, Partner at Morrison & Foerster, received the Lloyd M. Smith Award and thanked the board, the organization, and the Teach Democracy team for the privilege of serving.
Created in 1989, the Lloyd M. Smith Award recognizes an individual with an outstanding commitment to Teach Democracy and its mission through distinguished service to the organization. Brian received it for his service, where he follows past recipients who also gave the organization their time and leadership.
A former federal prosecutor in New York and Los Angeles, he chairs Morrison & Foerster’s Global Ethics + Compliance practice and has more than 25 years of experience in white-collar defense and corporate investigations.
He traced his path to public service to his father, a federal prosecutor and longtime New York City official, and his path to Teach Democracy to his wife, Jennifer. After finding that their children’s elementary school had no civics course, she created a curriculum and volunteered to teach it each week. Her students loved it. When young people are shown a path to civic participation, they embrace it and thrive.
Thank You to This Year’s Honorees
Teach Democracy congratulates Brad and Brian and thanks them for their leadership, service, and generosity. Your support keeps civic education in classrooms, and it prepares the next generation to carry democracy forward for the next 250 years.
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Teach Democracy thanks our sponsors, donors, and attendees for making this year’s celebration a success and for their continued commitment to civic learning. Click here to see more about the Annual Celebration.
