Join us this week as we Celebrate Pro Bono! by honoring those who have given back.

FRIDAY -- October 30

We wrap up the week by honoring the 2005 award winners. Jeffrey P. Bloom was honored for devoting more than 40 pro bono hours annually and for serving as co-counsel for cases with the Office of Indigent Defense.

Recipients Stephen L. Benjamin and Tina N. Herbert, were with Benjamin Law Firm at the time of the award. Their selection was based on their community involvement and for their constant dedication to the provision of legal services.

THURSDAY -- October 29

Philip A. Middleton of Charleston was honored in 2008 for his ongoing work with one indigent client over a three-year period. He contributed hundreds of hours of time in addition to out of pocket expenses – winning back his client’s five-acre property and more than $150,000 in punitive damages. See Middleton’s remarks about serving the “whole person” through pro bono.

WEDNESDAY -- October 28

In 2007, the Columbia firm of Ellis Lawhorne & Sims, PA was selected for its significant contributions and pro bono work with Home Works of America. Home Works is a non-profit organization that enables youth to repair homes of the elderly and disadvantaged. The firm contributed a variety of legal services that not only benefited the homeowners, but also assisted participating youth and the organization in general. Ellis Lawhorne attorneys volunteered their law related services, helped repair homes, cooked for volunteers and provided financial support for the project.

TUESDAY -- October 27

Today’s celebration is of three Charleston area attorneys – Peter Wilborn, Jonathan Altman and Stephanie Lewis – who were honored in 2006 for their pro bono work.

Peter Wilborn was selected for his pro bono service to the Bar. He served as an educator – teaching continued legal education courses for legal services staff as well as pro bono volunteers through SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center. At the time of the award, it was said of Wilborn that he, “almost exclusively undertakes cases that he knows will protect the rights of others, not because he will obtain financial gain. His work is dedicated to protecting the rights of workers, minorities and consumers.”

Jonathan Altman’s practice was focused on real estate and consumer issues that involved the indigent. He served on the Charleston Affordable Housing board where he sought to provide housing opportunities for low- and middle-income families. Altman’s work allowed him to see the vulnerability of poor and minority citizens first hand.

Both Wilborn and Altman spent at least a quarter of their time annually in pro bono service.

Stephanie Lewis’ award was based on her development of Crisis Ministries’ Legal Clinic as well as organizing attorney participation so that residents of Crisis Ministries were afforded legal assistance. She also served as a mentor to students at the Charleston School of Law. Lewis’ commitment to pro bono was also evident while a student at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Law where she helped created the school’s nationally recognized Pro Bono Program.

MONDAY -- October 26

In 2004, Stuart Andrews of Nelson Mullins and Robert Whitney were honored for their pro bono work.

Stuart M. Andrews Jr. worked in legal services for ten years before he transitioned to Nelson Mullins. With a heart invested for the public good, Andrews helped to create the firm’s Pro Bono Committee that still exists today. He currently serves as the co-chair to the SC Access to Justice Commission. Upon being honored with the award, Andrews had this to say, “I owe a lot to many people who inspired me during my lifetime to ask questions about how the poor obtain justice in our society. I owe even more to those who have encouraged me to do more than just ask hard questions.”

Robert K. Whitney was also honored. At the time of the award, Whitney was averaging more than 200 hours annually on pro bono and legal services cases. Being honored for pro bono service was not new, however. Whitney received kudos for pro bono work in 1973, 2002 and 2003. At the time of the 2004 award, Whitney commented that, “Volunteerism is the right thing to do.” Certainly his career is a shining example of being committed to pro bono service.

The SC Bar’s Pro Bono Awards are bestowed upon attorneys who contribute to the program’s cause and show devotion to achieving access to justice for South Carolinians at all levels.

The SC Bar Foundation funds the Pro Bono Program through an IOLTA grant. Your Bar Foundation is the only statewide entity that funds the advancement of justice by improving access, education and accountability. Please join us.