Thomas Mesereau has received many awards for his contributions to the criminal justice system and to minority communities. Once a year, Mr. Mesereau travels to Alabama to defend a death penalty trial without charging any legal fees. He has represented an indigent defendant in a death penalty case in Mississippi (pro bono) that resulted in a successful plea bargain on the eve of trial. Quite often, he is asked to speak about his experiences in the justice system to various organizations and groups.

Mr. Mesereau actively sponsors and participates in various free legal clinics throughout Los Angeles. At these clinics, lawyers donate their time for the purpose of advising and directing impoverished and underprivileged citizens who need legal assistance. No fees are charged. These clinics are administered through various churches in Los Angeles. For example, Tom participates in the “Save Our Sons” organization at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, Los Angeles. This organization is run by mothers whose sons are incarcerated and who need advice on various legal issues. Mr. Mesereau serves on the advisory board and donates his time to “n-Action,” a non-profit organization devoted to assisting women and their children with making a positive re-entry into society following incarceration.

Thomas Mesereau has marched with and supports the “Mothers of Watts, Los Angeles” and their children in opposition to gang violence and crime. He also assists and supports various organizations who seek to reform our laws so that they will be more equitable.
Mr. Mesereau recently received a Community Service Award from the Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, the Mayor of Los Angeles, for his years of contributions to the City. Mayor Villaraigosa specifically noted Mr. Mesereau's willingness to represent unpopular defendants and his commitment to the poor citizens of Los Angeles. This ceremony occurred at the Brookins Community African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, where Mr. Mesereau also received a Service Award from Dr. Frederick Ormonde Murph, Senior Minister.

Mr. Mesereau was previously awarded a “Certificate of Appreciation” from Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke due to his dedicated service to the citizens of Los Angeles County. Mr. Mesereau has received an award from the Reverend Cecil Murray, formerly Senior Minister of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church for the many hours of volunteer time he had devoted to the church's free legal clinic. Mr. Mesereau also has received the Sarah Allen Women's Missionary Society of First A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles Award for his contributions to the African-American and other minority communities.

He has also received a formal commendation from the Compton Seventh-Day Adventist Church for the time and effort he has given to pro-bono legal services in Los Angeles. Mr. Mesereau has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the African-American Community Empowerment Organization, a Los Angeles-based group devoted to assisting “at-risk” youth and developing their skills and goals. He previously received the Compton, California School Board President's Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Children of the Compton Unified School District.” He has also received an award from The State Bar of California Board of Governors for providing pro bono legal services to low income Californians.

Mr. Mesereau has received the “Humanitarian Award” from The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ), “In Recognition Of Your Ongoing Commitment To Justice for All.” Mr. Mesereau has conducted seminars for NABCJ on various aspects of the criminal justice system.

The Criminal Courts Bar Association of Los Angeles has previously presented Mr. Mesereau with the “Morton Herbert Service Award” for “his generous and noble service in furtherance of social justice.” He has also received the annual service award from n-Action Family Network for his efforts on behalf of women in recovery.