- Individual Attorney Award
- Law Student Award
- Law Firm Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award - Individual Attorney
- Community Partner Award – Such as corporations or community service organizations that partner with pro bono projects
AWARD NOMINATIONS
- Population served:Focus on traditionally marginalized or underserved persons of limited means; OR non-profit organization
- Commitment: Length and amount of time (approximate)
- Impact: Outcomes of services provided
- Innovation: New service or delivery model; previously unmet need addressed; improvement to law, legal system, or legal profession
- Scope: Individual; community; legislative or policy; state or national level
Restrictions: Current voting members of the Pro Bono Awards Committee are not eligible to receive an award.
- The nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae;
- Articles about the nominee’s pro bono work;
- Letters of support from pro bono clients who have been helped by the nominee; and
- Letters of support from colleagues or others who have worked with the nominee to provide pro bono services
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Who can submit a nomination for the Pro Bono Awards? Anyone can submit a nomination, including clients, community partners, attorneys, and others.
- Does the person I’m nominating have to be a lawyer? No. Non-attorneys can be recognized for the Law Student Award and Community Partner Award.
- What is the deadline for nominations? Nominations are due Wednesday, 4/1/21 by 5:00 pm.
- When are the winners notified? Finalists and their nominators are notified several weeks before the Pro Bono Awards Breakfast. Winners are announced at the event.
- When is the presentation of the Pro Bono Awards? Winners receive a plaque at the Pro Bono Awards Breakfast.
- Can I nominate someone who won an award in the past? Yes, but members of the Pro Bono Awards Committee will consider the length of time since the past award and whether the work is substantially different.
Previous award winners are listed below
CONTACT
For questions or additional information, please contact Attorney Jennifer Binkley: jenniferbinkley@yahoo.com or 608-442-3003
PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
2020
Independent Attorney: Carousel Bayrd
Law Student: Angela O’Brien
Law Firm:West & Dunn
Lifetime: John Mitby
Special Service: Iris Christenson
2019
Independent Attorney: Kathryn Pfefferle
Law Student: William Grau
Law Firm: Foley & Lardner, LLP and Husch Blackwell, LLP
Lifetime: Dan LaRoque
Special Service: Veronica Vega
Other: Eviction Defense Project - Legal Action of Wisconsin
2018
Independent Attorney: Talita Bornholdt
Law Student: Niabi Schmaltz Lifetime: Marilyn Townsend
Special Service: Chris Jarosh
Other: CUNA Mutual Group
Community Partner: Dane County
2017
Independent Attorney: Jason Knutson
Law Student: Emmiline Lee
Law Firm: Hawks Quindel, SC
Lifetime: Tenant Resource Center & Ed Garvey (posthumous)
2016
Independent Attorney: Charles Ver Hoeve
Law Student: Tiffany Woelfel & Brandon Tillman
Law Firm: Merchant & Gould
Other: Jeff Brown, State Bar of WI
2015
Independent Attorney: Dera Johnsen-Tracy
Law Student: Amanda Meyers
Law Firm: Quarles & Brady, LLP
Other: ACLU Mass Defense
2014
Independent Attorney: Andrew DeClercq
Law Student: Liz Bradley
Law Firm: Boardman & Clark
Special Service: Lori Lubinsky
2013
Independent Attorney: Margaret Maroney
Law Student: Lia Ocasio
Law Firm: Foley & Lardner, LLP
2012
Independent Attorney: H. Wes Taylor
Law Student: Jennifer Cunha
Lifetime: Mary Beth Keppel
Organization Award: Community Immigration Law Center
2011
Independent Attorney: Dan O'Callaghan
Law Student: Christine Heywood
Lifetime: William White
Retired Attorney: Michael Gengler & Edith Sullivan
2010
Independent Attorney: Paul Schwarz
Law Firm: Gennerman Mazzie Briscoe Law Group, LLC
LIfetime: David J. Harth
2009
Independent Attorney: Hannah Renfro
Law Student: Anne Applebaum
Law Firm: Foley & Lardner, LLP
2008
Independent Attorney: Christopher Krimmer
Law Student: Emily Long
Law Firm: Quarles & Brady, LLP
Lifetime: Rhea Myers
Organization Award: UW Madison Pro Bono Project
2007
Independent Attorney: Earl Munson
Law Student: Katie Holms
Law Firm: Foley & Lardner, LLP and Heller Ehrman, LLP
2006
Independent Attorney: Timothy Radelet
Law Student: Regal Qick-Severin
Special Service: Allan Koritzinsky
2005
Independent Attorney: Ramona Nater and Rhonda Hazen
Lifetime: John Skilton
2004
Independent Attorney: Irene Wren
Distinguished Service: Roy Froemming
Community Professional: Paula Seeger
2003
Independent Attorney: John Robinson
Law Student: Claire Starling
Lifetime: Larry Hanson
2002
Independent Attorney: Sara Buscher
Law Firm: Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP
Distinguished Service: Troy Mayne
2001
Independent Attorney: Lawrie Kobza
Special Service: Ed Baker
Distinguished Service: Mark Borns
Government Agency: Mary Beth Keppel
Organization Award: Family Law Assistance Center