Renee Charon, Alex Lloyd, Lenore Millibergity, Rita Ostman, and Jenny Stohl Powell are the recipients of the 2025 Becker Awards, which recognize legal services staff, as well as a law student, for their outstanding commitment to providing legal services to low-income people.
Renee Charon is a dedicated attorney and strong leader who has made a lasting impact at Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota (LSNM), where she advocates for survivors of domestic violence and now serves as Supervising Attorney of the Moorhead Regional Office. Known for combining fierce advocacy with deep empathy, she has led innovations like integrating a social work intern into LSNM to help address clients’ non-legal barriers. Her community involvement and commitment to expanding the reach of legal aid make her a deserving recipient of the Emerging Leader award.
Alex Lloyd has shown outstanding dedication to immigrant justice through hands-on legal work, leadership, and volunteerism throughout law school and beyond. At the University of Minnesota Law, she contributed to major immigration cases and initiatives through the Binger Center, The Advocates for Human Rights, and the Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic. Her deep commitment to serving low-income immigrant communities continues as she joins the Immigrant Justice Corps, making her a deserving recipient of the Law Student Award.
Lenore Millibergity has spent over 40 years advancing justice for immigrant communities, beginning with her work for migrant farmworkers in the 1980s and continuing as co-founder of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. Her tireless advocacy has helped reunite families, secure asylum, and support vulnerable immigrants, all while mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. Respected for her resilience and leadership, Lenore’s lasting impact makes her a truly deserving recipient of the Legacy of Excellence Award.
Rita Ostman has shown exceptional dedication to advocating for low-income individuals with disabilities through her work at Anishinabe Legal Services, where she leads the Social Security Advocacy project with a 76% success rate. Her fierce commitment to clients—many with severe mental or physical impairments—has helped secure vital benefits, housing, and legal protections for over 900 people. A respected leader and recent participant in the Nationwide SOAR program, Rita’s tireless advocacy makes her a deserving recipient of the Advocacy Award.
Jenny Stohl Powell has spent nearly 30 years advocating for immigrant and refugee communities, combining her legal expertise with a master’s in Nonprofit Management to strengthen organizations like the Minnesota Justice Foundation and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM). Her leadership at ILCM, especially during politically challenging times, has been marked by resilience, innovation, and deep commitment to justice. Jenny’s lifelong service and recent appointment as executive director make her a truly deserving recipient of the Legacy of Excellence Award.
For more information on the Becker Awards, please contact Dana Miner.
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