11 June – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Gibson Dunn has created a new pro bono award to encourage and recognize pro bono efforts by the firm’s lawyers. The Frank Wheat Memorial Award will be presented annually to the Gibson Dunn lawyer or group of lawyers who have demonstrated leadership and initiative in their pro bono work, obtained significant results for their pro bono clients, and/or served as a source of inspiration to others through their pro bono work at the firm.
The award is named in honor of former partner Frank Wheat, who was not only a giant in the legal community but also in the nonprofit community as well. In addition to being a superb transactional lawyer, a former SEC Commissioner and a former president of the Los Angeles County Bar, Wheat founded The Alliance for Children’s Rights, served as a founder and trustee of the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, acted as a leader of the Sierra Club and served as a former board member of the Center for Law in the Public Interest, which established a fellowship in his name to train young lawyers in public interest litigation.
A donation of $5,000 will be made to the pro bono organization designated by the award recipient.
