Dykema has been selected to receive the American Bar Association Business Law Section’s 2011 National Public Service Award, which recognizes the firm’s sustained commitment to transactional pro bono work and its leadership role in the Michigan and Detroit area legal communities.
The firm was nominated by partner organizations Community Legal Resources, the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and the Legal Aid and Defender Association of Southeastern Michigan.
The award recognizes significant pro bono legal contributions of law firms, corporate law departments and individual business lawyers that demonstrate a commitment to providing services to the poor in a business context.
“We are honored that the Business Law Section has recognized Dykema for its dedication to providing assistance to low-income and disadvantaged communities through pro bono and public interest work for nonprofit organizations and individuals,” said Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr., Dykema’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Dykema’s strong commitment to pro bono work has been important given the current economic challenges, and I commend all of our attorneys for their considerable efforts to helping those in need.”
Leor Barak, pro bono program manager at Community Legal Resources, said that without Dykema’s assistance, “nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities in our state would be sharply disadvantaged in dealing with every day legal issues that arise during the course of their operations.
“Dykema’s actions are especially impressive given the dire economic challenges in Michigan and Detroit particularly,” Barak said. “Despite one of the most difficult legal markets in the country, Dykema has not for one moment waivered in its commitment to pro bono and public interest work.”
Working with its partner organizations, Dykema regularly provides valuable pro bono legal services to nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities.
Since 2005, Dykema has accepted 146 referrals from Community Legal Resources and has established five Community Partnerships, where the firm provides legal advice and assistance as needed by a nonprofit organization.
These Community Partnerships and other noteworthy pro bono initiatives include:
• Southwest Detroit Business Association: For more than nine years, Dykema has helped to drive economic development in Southwest Detroit and assisted in creating the first Business Improvement District (BID) in the State of Michigan.
• Warren/Conner Development Coalition: Assisting with litigation matters, corporate formation, and protection from liability, Dykema works with a coalition of neighborhood organizations to improve the condition of low-income communities.
• Northwest Detroit Neighborhood Development: Dykema works with the local community development organization and assists with numerous tax issues, liability, and developing affordable housing.
• Michigan Immigrants Rights Center: Dykema has shown leadership in the area of immigrants’ rights through the Michigan Poverty Law Program, representing clients seeking asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, U-Visas, VAWAs, T-Visas and withholding of removal claims.
Last year, Dykema said its attorneys and support staff performed 9,996 hours of pro bono work.
The awards will be presented during the section’s spring meeting April 15 in Boston.
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