Steadfast commitment to social justice and underserved communities around the world -- from monitoring elections in Afghanistan to representing indigent victims of sexual abuse in New Hampshire -- will be honored when Cornell Law School confers its third annual Public Service Alumni Awards. A presentation ceremony is set for Feb. 7 at the Cornell Club in New York City.

This year's recipients include Saman Zia-Zarifi '93, who has monitored elections in Afghanistan, the treatment of Buddhist monks in Nepal and the first military commission for Guantanamo Bay detainees. Zia-Zarifi is Asia research director for Human Rights Watch.

Closer to home, New Hampshire public defender Lisa Wolford '02 represents indigent victims of sexual abuse and untreated mental illness. Also from New Hampshire, John Tobin '74, the executive director of New Hampshire Legal Assistance in Manchester, will be honored.

Shannon Minter '93, also to be recognized, litigates national cases on employment, marriage and parental rights for gay, bisexual and transgender people as legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Additional recipients include Jamie Andree '79, managing attorney with Indiana Legal Services in Bloomington, Ind.; Joe Iarocci '84, senior vice president for strategic support for CARE, in Atlanta; and Rosemary Pye '74, regional director of the National Labor Relations Board in Boston.

All of the alumni recipients represent the Law School's success in producing lawyers in the best sense for careers in public service, said Karen Comstock, assistant dean for public service.

"Cornell Law has long recognized the important role public-service lawyers play in securing individuals' liberties and contributing to the public welfare," Comstock said. "We are dedicated to providing the support public service-minded students and alumni need to realize their commendable goals."