Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, a tax-exempt organization that matches volunteer lawyers with local nonprofits in need of free legal counsel, is recognizing outstanding volunteer attorneys for their pro bono efforts at its 12th Anniversary Reception on Tuesday, March 14 at the office of Alston & Bird, LLP.
Elavon, Inc. will receive the “Corporation of the Year Award” for its contributions of time and legal expertise in helping Atlanta area nonprofits. All four of Elavon’s attorneys in Atlanta volunteer regularly
with PBPA, including General Counsel Mindy Doster. Seyfarth Shaw will receive the “Law Firm of the Year Award” for its outstanding efforts in taking legal matters referred by PBPA. Twenty-five Seyfarth Shaw attorneys assisted on 35 PBPA projects in 2016 alone. Seyfarth Shaw also hosted a pro bono event to advise individual nonprofits on overtime regulations.
PBPA will also honor several individuals with a “Volunteer of the Year Award.” Dorian Kennedy, Shareholder at Baker Donelson; Corbin Kennelly, Associate at Paul Hastings; Heather Howdeshell, General Attorney, Delta Air Lines; Carly Regan, Corporate Legal Manager, Turner Broadcasting System; Michael Kline, Director of Intellectual Property and Corporate Secretary at Srixon/Cleveland Golf; and Suhail Seth, Partner, Nelson Mullins.
PBPA will present the 2016 Happy Perkins Award to Eduardo Martinez, President of The UPS Foundation and UPS Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. The Happy Perkins Award is named after the retired General Counsel of GE Energy who played a pivotal role in organizing Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. It is presented from time to time to recognize an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. As head of The UPS Foundation, Mr. Martinez has overseen the Foundation’s strong support of PBPA’s Legal Check-Up Program, which provides issue spotting legal assistance to over 50 non-profit organizations annually.
Stephanie Campbell of KiDsGyM USA, a PBPA client, will kick off the awards presentation by sharing
how the legal services provided through PBPA have aided her organization and the work it does to
provide physical exercise and confidence to at-risk youth.
“Obviously, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta would not exist without our volunteers and our donors. This event gives us a chance to thank them and to highlight the extraordinary efforts of some of our outstanding volunteers,” said Rachel Epps Spears, Executive Director of Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. Spears would also like to thank the event’s sponsors including Presenting Sponsor Clarivate Analytics/CompuMark, Sustaining Sponsors Aprio and Donnelley Financial Solutions, and Supporting Sponsors Axiom Law, DTI, and State Bank & Trust Company.
PBPA provides free legal services to community-based nonprofits that operate programs benefiting low income
or disadvantaged individuals. PBPA matches eligible organizations with volunteer attorneys from the leading corporations and law firms in Atlanta. Since it opened its doors twelve years ago, PBPA has assigned and supported over 3,000 volunteer lawyers in aiding about 800 nonprofit clients. In 2016 alone, PBPA provided free legal services valued over $4.5 million to Atlanta-area nonprofits. PBPA is funded by donations from corporations, law firms, bar sections and individuals.