Butzel Long receives the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award from the Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel Long received the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award from the Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LADA) on October 20, 2010. Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. is the largest provider of legal services to low- and moderate-income people in Michigan and one of the largest in the nation.
Throughout its more than 150 years, Butzel Long has a long and distinguished history of public service, particularly assisting clients who could otherwise not afford legal representation. Providing quality pro bono legal services is a priority for Butzel Long. The firm’s lawyers, from the newest associate to members of the Board of Directors, use their expertise and training to make a difference each year, providing thousands of hours to those in need through a wide range of programs and relationships.
Butzel Long and LADA have a longstanding tradition of matching firm attorneys with clients who could otherwise not afford legal representation. Dozens of Butzel Long attorneys have participated in the annual Detroit Legal Services Pro Bono Clinic. Through their participation in this important program, these attorneys have assisted indigent clients in a myriad of matters by drafting wills and probating estates, obtaining relief from wrongfully issued garnishments, expunging criminal records, restoring driving privileges, assisting with consumer disputes, home ownership and foreclosure matters, landlord-tenant disputes, and family law matters.
Butzel Long’s pro bono clients are not the only one’s who benefit from these efforts.
“Coordinating the Butzel Long Pro Bono Clinic the past two years has been one of the most personally gratifying experiences I have had as an attorney,” said Paul Mersino, Butzel Long associate attorney who co-coordinates the firm’s participation in the clinic. “The cases I have taken on through the LADA have allowed me to help those in my community who have most needed it. Whether it has been assisting a single mother in successfully defending herself against fraudulent charges or assisting non-profit organizations in giving back to the community, the appreciation and gratitude that the clients have shown has been more valuable than any amount of payments could have been. Organizing our annual clinic has been one of the most rewarding opportunities I have had to be able to give back to the community and assist someone in need of help.”
Butzel Long is honored to receive LADA’s recognition. When informed of Butzel’s award, attorney Jim Wynne, a member of Butzel Long’s Board of Directors and the Board’s liaison to the firm’s pro bono committee, said: “We are proud of Butzel Long’s dedication to pro bono work and truly appreciate LADA. We will continue to provide the resources and support necessary to encourage everyone associated with Butzel Long to participate in our pro bono and public service efforts. We maintain this commitment because supporting LADA and providing pro bono services is the right thing to do.”
About Butzel Long
Established in 1854, Butzel Long is one of America's leading law firms. With 170 attorneys, it has offices in Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, Lansing and Ann Arbor, Michigan, New York City, and Washington, D.C., as well as Alliance offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Mexico City and Monterrey. The firm is also a member of the Washington D.C. law firm, Butzel Long Tighe Patton. Butzel Long represents clients from diverse industries on regional, national, and multi-national levels and is a member of Lex Mundi, a global association of 160 independent law firms. Visit the Butzel Long website at www.butzel.com.
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Media Contact: Maribeth Farkas at Caponigro Public Relations Inc., (248) 353-3030.
