DC Bar Names Arnold & Porter 'Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year,' Brooksley Born Receives Thurgood Marshall Award

WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2014 -- Arnold & Porter was named Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year by the District of Columbia Bar in recognition of its attorneys’ performance of more than 105,000 hours of pro bono work on “exceptional projects” during the past year.  In addition, Brooksley Born was selected by the DC Bar as a recipient of its 2014 Thurgood Marshall Award for her “strong commitment” to civil rights and individual liberties throughout her career.  The awards ceremony was held at the DC Bar’s Celebration of Leadership event on June 17.

The DC Bar noted in a statement:  “The award selection committee was not only impressed with the overall number of pro bono hours A&P lawyers have achieved, but also by the depth and breadth of their pro bono service projects, which have directly impacted the DC community.”

Among Arnold & Porter’s notable pro bono matters acknowledged during the awards event was its work helping low-income residents of apartment buildings and cooperatives remain in their homes.  Arnold & Porter also partners with the DC Bar and founded the Landlord/Tenant Resource Center, to provide information to both tenants and landlords in the Landlord/Tenant Branch of DC Superior Court.  The firm was also recognized for its representation of non-profit organizations by obtaining tax-exempt status and for playing a lead role in the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia’s clinics to assist low-income clients to obtain benefits under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.  The firm also partnered with the Legal Aid Society to launch the Unemployment Insurance Project, a new initiative to address problems in an area of poverty law. In addition, the DC Bar cited Arnold & Porter’s ongoing internal Indigent Defense Program, which provides counsel for low-income criminal defendants in the District of Columbia.

Ms. Born, who joined the Firm in 1965, was recognized for championing women’s rights, civil rights and pro bono legal services.  Among other activities, she helped to establish the National Women's Law Center and has served on its board for more than 40 years.  She also worked for equal rights and civil liberties through the American Bar Association and cofounded the ABA Women's Caucus.