BUSINESS LAW PRO BONO WINNERS HONORED - Press Release

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Release: Immediate
Contact: Jim Nayder
Phone: 312/988-6149
E-mail: jnayder@staff.abanet.org

Business Law Pro Bono Winners Honored

CHICAGO, June 10 -- The Pro Bono Committee of the American Bar Association's Business Law Section announced winners of the ABC National Public Service Awards, at the Section's Spring Meeting in Nashville. For the first time, the committee presented two awards -- one to recognize the efforts of an individual lawyer and one to recognize the pro bono efforts of a law firm or corporate legal department.

At the Section luncheon, the committee recognized Robert D. Kaplan of Seattle and the Chicago law firm of Katten Muchin & Zavis.

Kaplan was recognized for his individual service to more than ten organizations in need of legal advice, including The Legal Aid for Washington Fund, Northwest Justice Project, Public Health Care Coalition, and more.

Kaplan was nominated by his friend and legal colleague Katrina C. Plaumer, the Northwest Justice Project, the Law Fund, and Cedar River Associates, all of Seattle, Wash.

Katten Muchin & Zavis was honored for committing two thirds of its 350 lawyers to pro bono community legal service. The firm's projects range from negotiating and documenting a joint venture to build 100 single family homes for low-income residents, to assisting in acquiring loans to establish a housing facility for homeless women. Katten Muchin & Zavis was nominated by the Community Economic Law Project.