William "Bill" M. Starr of the national law firm Baker Donelson has been recognized by Safe Alliance with the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award for his pro bono work assisting victims of domestic violence.
Safe Alliance is a Charlotte-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope and healing for those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault through a variety of programs and services, including a confidential hotline with capabilities to translate more than 200 languages, an 80-bed shelter, court advocacy programs for victims, and counseling and support groups among other resources.
Mr. Starr, who was honored at the organization's Pro Bono Awards Ceremony on April 16 in Charlotte, has dedicated more than 100 hours of pro bono work with Safe Alliance. His work includes obtaining orders of protection for victims of domestic violence so that these individuals can attend school, work, and proceed with their lives without being subjected to threats and violence.
"This is a great honor for Bill, and we're proud of him and glad that his efforts are being recognized by Safe Alliance," said Samuel T. Bowman, the Firm's Pro Bono Shareholder. "Bill's award is a further testament to Baker Donelson's commitment to adding leading attorneys who prioritize the needs of the most sensitive and often overlooked populations and serving individuals regardless of their financial position or ability to pay. We look forward to more great work with Bill in the years to come."
A shareholder in Baker Donelson's Charlotte office, Mr. Starr focuses his practice on aviation, toxic torts, products liability, and premises liability. He represents his clients, who include some of the world's largest airlines, fixed-base operators, certified repair stations, general aviation facilities, and manufacturers of aviation-related components in state and federal courts throughout North Carolina. He also regularly handles wrongful death and catastrophic/personal injury cases stemming from products liability and toxic tort claims and claims pursuant to international treaties, such as the Montreal and Warsaw Conventions.
Through its commitment to pro bono representation, Baker Donelson provides legal services to groups and individuals whose resources are limited. The Firm's efforts include work on a wide range of matters, such as advocating for the homeless and organizations that serve the homeless, providing corporate legal services to non-profit organizations, and collaborating with our clients to address particular community needs. Baker Donelson has been instrumental in endeavors such as expanding the Homeless Experience Legal Protection (HELP) program across the Southeast; creating courts dedicated to handling minor legal matters common among the homeless; assisting persons of limited means with obtaining driver's licenses, an essential need when reintegrating into society; and spearheading and organizing volunteer lawyer programs across Baker Donelson's footprint.
Baker Donelson has helped reshape the legal industry by being one of the first law firms in the Southeast to create a Pro Bono Committee and designate a pro bono shareholder. Additionally, Baker Donelson designates Pro Bono Committee office chairs in most of its 23 offices. These chairs are best suited to address local needs while coordinating with the Firm's pro bono shareholder for global pro bono initiatives. This structure ensures Baker Donelson is well-suited to further its goal of addressing broad spectrum needs across the Firm's markets and beyond.