Kilpatrick Stockton LLP announces the firm’s second annual pro bono awards to recognize outstanding contributions to the firm’s pro bono efforts. The awards come after a record-breaking year for the firm with over 26,000 pro bono hours in 2004, a value of nearly $7 million.
“While pro bono work is an integral part of Kilpatrick Stockton’s culture, the awards recognize those individuals and groups whose contributions made the greatest impact upon people in their communities – people for whom representation would have been otherwise elusive, ” said Debbie Segal, Kilpatrick Stockton Pro Bono Partner.
The following are the 2004 recipients of the Kilpatrick Stockton Pro Bono Awards:
Pro Bono Managing Partner Award: Rick Horder, Atlanta
Rick Horder, partner in the Real Estate Group, began Kilpatrick
Stockton’s “Grandparent Adoption Program” over eight years ago. This signature program addresses the needs of low income relatives caring for children whose parents are absent. The Grandparent Adoption program allows grandparents and other relatives to formalize their relationships with grandchildren in their care, provide stability for the children, and make appropriate decisions about children’s lives. To date, Kilpatrick Stockton attorneys have represented over 141 relative caregivers in adoption proceedings, donating over 8,000 hours, impacting hundreds of children.
Mr. Horder, who serves as the Chair of Kilpatrick Stockton’s Pro Bono Committee, was also responsible for the firm’s creation of a Pro Bono Partner position. He conducted research around the country to determine the prevalence of such a position, surveyed lawyers within his firm to determine interest in pro bono, created a job description and presented a proposal to the firm’s executive committee, which was adopted.
Pro Bono Associates of the Year Award: Betsy Cooke, Raleigh and Rich Dolder, Atlanta
Betsy Cooke was chosen for her leadership in a firm-wide, 50 state survey on landlord tenant statutes prepared for Alabama Appleseed for their use in proposing revisions to their landlord tenant laws.
Rick Dolder was recognized for a series of victories in a variety of cases which materially affected the lives of four low-income clients.
Pro Bono Paralegal of the Year Award: Susie Derrickson, Atlanta
Susie was honored for her tireless representation of the best interests of children whose parents were engaged in particularly contentious custody battles.
Pro Bono Office of the Year: Winston-Salem
Pro Bono Practice Group of the Year: Real Estate
About Kilpatrick Stockton
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP is a full-service international law firm with more than 470 attorneys in nine offices across the globe: Atlanta and Augusta, GA.; Charlotte, Raleigh and Winston-Salem, NC.; New York, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; London, England; and Stockholm, Sweden. Kilpatrick Stockton’s delivery of innovative business solutions provides results-oriented counsel for corporations, from the challenging demands of financial transactions and securities to the disciplines of intellectual property management. Collaboration among Kilpatrick Stockton’s corporate, litigation and intellectual property attorneys provides knowledgeable and proactive guidance for companies at every stage of the business life cycle.
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