Nagin is the Vice Dean for Experiential and Clinical Education and serves as the faculty director of the WilmerHale Legal Services Center and the Veterans Legal Clinic at Harvard Law School.
The award was established to recognize professional legal services attorneys for their outstanding work on behalf of indigent clients in greater Boston. Nagin’s work was credited with embodying the spirit of the award, on both the local and national levels.
“I am deeply honored to receive the John G. Brooks Legal Services Award. I have the good fortune to work every day with so many wonderful people in the legal services community,” Nagin said. “I am continually inspired by these incredible colleagues — and by the clients on whose behalf we advocate. I share this award with everyone who seeks justice for the indigent.”
In 2012, Nagin founded the Veterans Legal Clinic, where students gain hands-on experience while representing military veterans and the families of veterans who would not have access to legal representation otherwise. He has also written articles and participated in panel discussions on legal issues of particular concern to veterans, including access to benefits. Most recently, Nagin started the Low Income Tax Clinic (LITC) at the Legal Services Center, supported in part by the Boston Bar Foundation.
Nagin co-chairs the BBA’s Active Duty Military, Family Members & Veterans Committee. He has also planned a number of pro bono trainings to assist veterans with discharge appeals and to support the pro bono panel of the new LITC.
Prior to his work in Massachusetts, Nagin founded and directed a public benefits clinic at the University of Virginia School of Law and taught in the clinical program at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He has also directed a social service and legal advocacy program for homeless New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS.