Awards

  • Philadelphia VIP’s Pro Bono Awards—In 2013, 2012 and 2009, Philadelphia VIP presented the Firm with the William J. Brennan Award, the highest honor given by Philadelphia VIP for pro bono contributions by a law firm. In 2008 and 2010, the Firm received the Chancellor’s Award, the second highest award, from Philadelphia VIP.
  • 2012 Empire State Counsel Award—In 2013, partner Stephen T. Whelan was recognized by the New York State Bar Association as a 2012 Empire State Counsel for his substantial pro bono services in 2012.
  • 2012 Houston Bar Foundation Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Contributions—In 2012 Blank Rome’s Houston office received the Houston Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Contributions. The Firm was recognized for its commitment to the Equal Access Champions Program, as well as its involvement with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (“HVLP”), and the adoption of a Saturday Legal Advice Clinic through HVLP.
  • 2012 Legal Intelligencer’s Unsung Hero Award to Blank Rome Attorney, Megan Spitz—Megan was recognized for her work as a Child Advocate Attorney through the Support Center for Child Advocates, and her effective advocacy on behalf of her clients both inside, and outside, the courtroom.
  • 2011 Philadelphia Bar Foundation Pro Bono Award—In 2011 Blank Rome received the Philadelphia Bar Foundation Pro Bono Award, which recognizes a Philadelphia law firm or corporate legal department that demonstrates outstanding volunteer efforts in providing legal services to those in need. Blank Rome was nominated for this award by its public interest partners, Philadelphia VIP, the Homeless Advocacy Project, the SeniorLAW Center, the Support Center for Child Advocates, and the Capital Habeas Unit of the Federal Defenders Association.  This award recognizes the Firm’s pro bono efforts on behalf of the homeless, disabled, seniors, and children, as well as the Firm’s representation of a client on Pennsylvania’s death row. 
  •  2011 Legal Intelligencer’s Unsung Hero Award to Blank Rome Attorneys Jason Snyderman, Leigh Ann Fierro, and Lewis Schlossberg—Blank Rome attorneys Jason Snyderman, Leigh Ann Fierro, and Lewis Schlossberg were honored for their work on behalf of Pennsylvania’s first-ever convict released from prison on the basis of after-acquired DNA evidence. The client, who was referred by the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, was seeking to have his record expunged, which the Commonwealth opposed, despite the DNA evidence. 
  • 2011 Senior LAW Center’s Partner of the Year—In 2011 Blank Rome was honored by the SeniorLAW Center as its “Partner of the Year,” for the Firm’s work on the Life Planning Pro Bono Legal Partnership. Through this partnership, attorneys help low-income seniors prepare and execute advance planning documents, such as wills, living wills, and powers of attorney, at legal clinics in Philadelphia. 
  • 2011 Legal Clinic for the Disabled’s White Hat Award to Blank Rome Partner and Director of Pro Bono Services, Kathy Ochroch—Kathy Ochroch was recognized in 2011 by the Legal Clinic for the Disabled for her dedicated volunteer work on behalf of people with disabilities.
  • 2009 Selection as one of the Children’s Law Center’s “Top 10” Law Firms in Washington D.C. for child advocacy.
  • 2007 Lawyers’ Alliance Pro Bono Leadership Award to Michael Feinman—In 2007 Lawyers’ Alliance of New York recognized the work of New York attorney, Michael Feinman, on behalf of pro bono real estate clients, including the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation.
  • 2006 Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award—In 2006 Kathy Ochroch and Michelle Piscopo received the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award in recognition for their contributions to improving civil legal aid in Pennsylvania.
  • 2005 Philadelphia Bar Association’s Wachovia Fidelity Award to Larry Beaser—In 2005 Larry Beaser received the Wachovia Fidelity Award in recognition of his longstanding advocacy for the cause of justice and efforts to ensure equal access to legal representation for all.
  • 2005 Philadelphia Bar Association’s Craig M. Perry Community Service Award to Kathy Ochroch—Kathy Ochroch was the 2005 recipient of the Craig M. Perry Community Service Award presented by the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division. Ms. Ochroch was recognized for her work with the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program. 
  • Sanctuary for Families’ Associates Committee Award to Brett Ward—Brett Ward, an attorney in the Firm’s New York office, was honored by the Sanctuary for Families’ Associates Committee (SAC) for his distinguished pro bono efforts on behalf of domestic violence victims. 
  • Recognition of Blank Rome Attorneys and Staff as “Distinguished Advocates” by the Support Center for Child Advocates—Blank Rome attorneys and staff have been recognized by the Support Center for Child Advocates for their commitment to abused and neglected children, through the Support Center’s Distinguished Advocate Awards. In 2010 Lisa Lewis was named a Distinguished Advocate for her leadership in the Firm’s annual holiday toy drive for the clients of the Support Center for Child Advocates. In 2009, attorney Frank Crowley was honored by the Support Center as a Distinguished Advocate for his work as a child advocate, and in 2003, Kathy Ochroch received this same honor. 

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