Barbara Schatz, Small Business Clinic win Cornerstone Award
Lawyers Alliance for New York announces the recipients of its 2005 Cornerstone Awards. Each year, Lawyers Alliance presents the Cornerstone Awards to law firms and business lawyers to recognize the outstanding pro bono legal services they provide for nonprofit organizations. Lawyers Alliance will present the Cornerstone Awards at a reception at the Colgate-Palmolive Company, 300 Park Avenue in New York City on November 17, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
"Thanks to New York's pro bono attorneys and our partnership with the City's top law firms and corporate legal departments, hundreds of nonprofits have access to the expert legal counsel they need to accomplish their missions and better serve New York City's low-income communities," said Elizabeth Guggenheimer, legal director of Lawyers Alliance.
Lawyers Alliance is the City's leading provider of business law services for nonprofits dedicated to serving low-income neighborhoods. This year Lawyers Alliance is recognizing the law firms of Proskauer Rose LLP and Shearman & Sterling LLP, nine individuals, and Professor Barbara A. Schatz and the Nonprofit Organizations/Small Business Clinic at Columbia Law School, all of whom have demonstrated an exemplary and deep commitment to pro bono service.
Among this year's institutional and special awardees are:
BARBARA A. SCHATZ and the NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS/SMALL BUSINESS CLINIC at COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL: For the exemplary training and guidance that Ms. Schatz gives to law students, and the attention and thoroughness she and the students show to nonprofit clients, as they provide essential legal assistance to organizations that are building a better New York.
"Lawyers Alliance for New York applauds the 2005 Cornerstone Award recipients for contributing their time, skills, and commitment to community organizations that are creating new opportunities for low-income New Yorkers" said Christine D. Rogers, a partner at Arnold & Porter LLP and chair of the board of directors of Lawyers Alliance for New York. "These lawyers and firms represent the very best of the legal profession."
Lawyers Alliance staff and volunteers provide high quality and affordable business law services to nonprofit organizations throughout New York City that are dedicated to improving our communities in several critical areas, including affordable housing and homeless services, economic development, children and youth services, immigrant communities and elder services. Each year, the 11 staff attorneys at Lawyers Alliance work with more than 700 volunteer attorneys to serve more than 420 clients on more than 650 legal matters. In addition, Lawyers Alliance sponsors educational workshops and distributes publications on nonprofit legal issues.
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