NCLEJ is deeply saddened that our dedicated board member, Steven Edwards, passed away on April 8, 2020, due to complications resulting from the Coronavirus. Steve was a wonderful person, an excellent litigator, and a committed social justice advocate. He served on our board of directors for 20 years. He joined NCLEJ and the National Resources Defense Council to serve as lead counsel in Baez v. New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”), a class action in which public housing tenants sued NYCHA for failure to remedy mold and other housing conditions detrimental to tenants’ health.
 

In 2017, we presented Steve with the Champion of Justice Award at our annual dinner, and he accepted with a musical performance, as befitted his membership in the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
 

NCLEJ Senior Attorney Greg Bass remembers Steve this way:
 

"I first met Steve when he was with Hogan Lovells. He volunteered the firm’s resources to help with enforcement of the NYCHA mold litigation. Five years later, after countless meetings, briefing, court appearances, appointment of a Special Master, Ombudsperson, court-appointed experts, and establishment of an entire infrastructure designed to make the lives of public housing residents better, Steve remained a committed mainstay of the case."
 

"This is a huge loss, not just for the litigation, but, of course, for his family and friends, for the legal community, and for those committed to social justice. I will also miss the man who shared his tickets for the Allman Brothers’ run of last shows at the Beacon."