(New Orleans, LA) – The Pro Bono Project celebrated in high style on Thursday evening, December 10th at its annual Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition Awards Ceremony, held at the law firm of Jones Walker and presided over by Louisiana State Bar Association President, Kim Boyle of Phelps, Dunbar. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC took front and center as recipient of the 2009 Law Firm of the Year Award. Also recognized was Sherry Dolan, Baker Donelson's Pro Bono Coordinator, who was among The Pro Bono Project's 2009 Distinguished Service Awardees.
During 2009, the members of Baker Donelson, Law Firm of the Year, provided over 1,000 hours of volunteer service to The Project and its clients through the participation of 15 attorneys who worked on 40 cases. But to cap this, several of the firm’s members worked very hard for the Justice For All Ball, helping make it one of the biggest successes to date. In October, in honor of the very first National Pro Bono Week, the firm partnered with The Project to stage a continuing legal education program on professionalism duties and how pro bono work can fulfill these important obligations. Baker Donelson not only created the presentation but also provided one of the speakers and then hosted a reception afterwards.
“With the kind of commitment that Baker Donelson has made to The Project and the pro bono community, we are able to extend our reach and continue providing the kind of service that is still critically needed by our clients and this community,” explained The Project’s Executive Director Rachel Piercey.
The Pro Bono Project’s continuing mission to provide free, quality civil legal services to the poor is more important than ever. By engaging volunteer attorneys to render pro bono services, The Pro Bono Project serves clients in Orleans, Jefferson, St Bernard, St Tammany, Washington and Plaquemines parishes. With funding from the Justice For All Ball and other sources, locally and nationally, The Pro Bono Project works in collaboration with other social service providers to improve the quality of life for our clients and our community. For more information on The Pro Bono Project, to volunteer or to donate to The Project, contact Rachel Piercey at 504.581.4043 or http://probono-no.org.