Pro Bono Awards

In late May at our summer associate welcome party, Jonathan Blaine and Pamela Elkow were presented with the second annual Robinson & Cole pro bono awards—Jonathan for his contribution to Lawyers Without Borders, and Pam for the amazing energy and enthusiasm she brought to the position as the previous Pro Bono Partner.

Congratulations to the following R&C lawyers who were named to the 2007 CBA Pro Bono Honor Roll:

Taylor Archambault, Megan Baroni, Jonathan Blaine, Brett Boskiewicz, Adam Boston, Diane Bucci, David Burke, John Casey, Stephen Cooper, Kip Dwyer, Steve Elbaum, Pam Elkow, Kirstin Etela, David Hadden, Ursula Haerter, Jennifer Hamilton Lewis, Ed Heath, Dana Horton, Robin Keller, Jack Kennedy, Eric Kogan, Greg Ligelis, Mimi Lines, Joey Lee Miranda, Ndidi Moses, Effie Patrick, Chris Perry, Sharina Talbot, John Tanski, Jean Tomasco, Amy Wergeles, Jeff White

In late May at our summer associate welcome party, Melissa Mack and Kate Moran Carter were presented with the first annual Robinson & Cole pro bono awards—Melissa for her continued contribution to Robinson & Cole's pro bono initiative, and Kate for her commitment to Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR).

Congratulations to the following R&C personnel who were named to the 2006 CBA Pro Bono Honor Roll:
Wystan Ackerman, Steve Aronson, Brett Boskiewicz, Liz Brennan, Diane Bucci, Sandy Dawson, Kerin Desimone, Kirstin Etela, Chris Girard, Ursula Haerter, Jennifer Hamilton Lewis, Robin Keller, Carter Kneeland, Greg Ligelis, Mimi Lines, Ted O'Hanlan, Nimesh Patel, Effie Patrick, Chris Perry, Susan Roberts, Asker Saeed, Meghanna Shah, Jack Shaughnessy, Kori Termine, Jeff White

At this year's CBA Annual Meeting in June, fourteen awards were given including ten pro bono awards. Pam Elkow received one of the CBA's Pro Bono Awards. She was nominated by Lawyers for Children America in recognition of her dedication and commitment to pro bono service.

At this year's CBA Annual Meeting in June, The Charles J. Parker Legal Services Award was presented to Don Buck for his deep and abiding interest in and dedication to the delivery of legal services to the disadvantaged in Connecticut. In addition, Don was honored on September 21st by Statewide Legal Services at its tenth anniversary celebration with receipt of the Susan W. Wolfson Distinguished Service Award. Susan W. Wolfson was the first president of Statewide Legal Services.

In early June, Robinson & Cole was honored as the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year at the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR) Annual Gala. R&C was selected to receive the 2006 award due to the extraordinary commitment that the firm has made to PAIR. (Sixteen R&C attorneys were trained this past year to assist in the representation of those seeking asylum; six firm attorneys are currently or have been involved in representating PAIR asylum clients from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Cameroon). R&C was praised for addressing complex legal issues with high standards of professionalism and excellence, and standing as a role model of pro bono commitment in the legal community. Two of the firm's clients also attended the gala, and it was evident how much the evening and the firm's commitment meant to them.

R&C recently received the Bridge Business Award from The Bridge Family Center in West Hartford. The firm was honored for its many years of assisting The Bridge, and for uncompromising generosity in carrying out its mission. The award reception was attended by Eric Daniels, Helen Kemp, who is also vice president/president elect of the center's board of directors, Diana MacPherson, Linnea McCaffrey, and Brian Smith. The Bridge Family Center is a comprehensive, nonprofit agency offering a broad range of services to children, youth, and families in the Greater Hartford area. As further evidence of R&C's commitment, in September, Diana MacPherson received the Build No Fences Award at The Bridge's 20th annual "Breakfast on the Bridge." The Build No Fences Award recognizes someone who provides support for young people and families.

Congratulations to the following R&C (and former R&C) personnel who were named to the 2005 CBA Pro Bono Honor Roll:
Jonathan Blaine, Brett Boskiewicz, Erin Choquette, Cynthia Christie, Jessica Edwards, Kirstin Etela, Christopher Girard, Gregory Ligelis, Christopher Major, Moni Martin, Joey Lee Miranda, John Poakeart, Aaron Samples, Patrick Sweeney, Regina Sweeney, Lisa Vooys, Jeff White

In early November, at the 2nd Annual Donald J. Cohen Child Advocacy Awards Luncheon, Lawyers for Children America (LFCA) presented the Joseph Goldstein Award to R&C for its years of support and dedication of time and expertise to representing abused and neglected children on behalf of LFCA. Professor Goldstein was a renowned scholar best known for his work in family law. LFCA was founded on the philosophy embodied in Professor Goldstein's work, which continues to serve as a significant part of the LFCA mission.