November 1, 2017
In October, the firm was honored with several awards in recognition of its pro bono service and accomplishments. Willkie received “The Champion of Justice Award” from Brooklyn Legal Services, the “Marvin Frankel Award” from Human Rights First, and several “Pro Bono Publico Awards” from The Legal Aid Society.
On October 23, Willkie was honored with the Champion of Justice Award by Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS). Willkie was one of only three awardees, and the only law firm recognized with this honor. Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) is the largest provider of free civil legal services to low-income people in the country. BLS is the largest office of LSNYC.
Willkie was recognized for its outstanding work on behalf of BLS clients on housing, consumer debt, and disaster relief matters. BLS highlighted that “Willkie was one of the few law firms that was willing to step up and take on FEMA insurance appeals for victims of Hurricane Sandy” and made “significant contributions to clients facing illegal and unfair student debt collections.”
On October 18, the firm was honored by Human Rights First with a 2017 Marvin Frankel Award, in recognition of its outstanding pro bono service to refugees and asylum seekers. Willkie has a long and successful tradition of working with Human Rights First and several other organizations on critical immigration equality and asylum cases.
Click here to read Willkie’s July 13 announcement. Click here to view a video interview with Willkie associate Shaimaa Hussein, who discusses the firm’s successful asylum representation of a client from the Republic of Congo. Click here to read more about Willkie’s work for Human Rights First.
On October 25, the firm was honored by The Legal Aid Society with a 2017 Pro Bono Publico Award for outstanding service to The Legal Aid Society and its clients. The firm was particularly noted for contributions in protecting the rights of immigrants. Over the years, the firm has received numerous Publico Awards in recognition of its pro bono services for low-income New Yorkers. In addition to the firm award, partner Richard Mancino and associate James Rosenthal and were recognized with 2017 individual awards. The awards were presented by the Honorable Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the State of New York.