(Birmingham, AL / November 15, 2012) Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, was among the honorees recently recognized by the Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program (BBVLP) for their dedication to providing free legal assistance to low income individuals in Jefferson County.
The Birmingham office of Baker Donelson was recognized as the 2012 "Large Firm of the Year" for its outstanding efforts to make pro bono service to clients a priority. The awards were presented on October 26, 2012, at the Birmingham Bar Association's Pro Bono Week Celebration Luncheon celebrating National Pro Bono Week and honoring pro bono service.
"BVLP plays a vital role in providing free legal representation to many Jefferson County residents who would otherwise have nowhere to turn with their legal problems," said Lisa Borden, Baker Donelson's Pro Bono Shareholder. "Baker Donelson lawyers are pleased to partner with BVLP to help those in need, and we are thrilled and grateful for this recognition."
The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program operates in conjunction with the Birmingham Bar Association to provide volunteer legal services to low income individuals in the Birmingham area. The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program provides volunteer lawyers to assist in a number of civil matters including, but not limited to: adoptions, bankruptcy, debt collection, family law, guardianship, landlord/tenant disputes, powers of attorney, wills and probate.
Through its commitment to pro bono representation, Baker Donelson provides legal services to groups and individuals likely to be marginalized in the legal system due to economic barriers. Over the years, the Firm's attorneys have provided a variety of counsel to many populations, including the homeless, immigrants and refugees, the elderly and the impoverished. Baker Donelson's pro bono efforts include work on a wide range of matters, such as advocating for the homeless and organizations that serve the homeless, death penalty litigation, providing corporate legal services to non-profit organizations, and much more.