Numerous organizations have recognized Jenner & Block as a firm and individual lawyers for leadership in pro bono advocacy and public service. Because public service is a core value of the firm, Jenner & Block created two internal awards to recognize our lawyers who are dedicated to pro bono advocacy and who show a strong commitment to serving the bar and the public. These awards are the Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Pro Bono Award and the Jerold S. Solovy Award.
Representative Pro Bono and Public Service Awards
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ACLU Foundation of Southern California
Artistic Expression Award to Partner Andrew “AJ” Thomas and Associate Lisa Kohn (2014)
Homeless Rights Advocacy Award (2018) -
Agahozo Shalom Youth Village
Anne Heyman Spirit Award (2014) -
American Bar Association
John Minor Wisdom Award to Partners Thomas P. Sullivan (2003) and Jerold S. Solovy (2005)
Pro Bono Publico Award (1995) -
American Bar Association Death Penalty Representation Project
Exceptional Service Award (2006, 2016) -
The American Lawyer
#1 Pro Bono Firm (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 1999)
Among top 10 firms, nationwide, every year since 1990
Among top 3 firms in the international ranking, every year since 2019
2015 AmLaw Global Legal Award, “Citizenship” category, for pro bono project of the year -
Catholic Immigration Legal Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
Board of Immigration Appeals Pro Bono Project (2018) -
Center for Constitutional Rights
Pro Bono Service Award to Jenner & Block New York Office (2011) - Chambers Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Firm for Pro Bono (2021)
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The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)
"Pro Bono Superstar Award" (2019) -
Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation
Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award to Partner Andrew Merrick (2016)
Edward J. Lewis II Pro Bono Service Award to Partner Gabriel A. Fuentes (2015) and Andrew W. Vail (2021) -
Justice John Paul Stevens Award to Partner Jeffrey Colman (2012)
Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award to Partner Andrew Vail (2009) -
Chicago Bar Association
Mentor/Tutor Program of the Year (2004) -
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Bill of Rights In Action Award (2008) -
D.C. Law Students in Court
Celebration of Service Award to Partner David DeBruin (2012) -
District of Columbia Bar
Thurgood Marshall Award to Partner Paul Smith (2012)
Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year to Partner David DeBruin (2009)
Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award (2005)
DC Bar Pro Bono Center (recognized for work with the Center's Housing Right to Counsel Pilot Project, 2016) -
District of Columbia Judicial Conference
“40 at 50 Judicial Pro Bono Recognition” to DC Office (2003-2019) -
Federal Bar Association
Special Walter J. Cummings Lifetime Achievement Award to Partner Thomas P. Sullivan (2015) -
Financial Times North American Innovative Lawyers Report
“Standout” ranking in Social Responsibility-Pro Bono Cases, 2015, 2016 -
Heartland Alliance and the National Immigrant Justice Center
“Rising Star” Award to Associate Michele Slachetka (2014)
Midwest Light of Human Rights Award to Partner Lawrence Schaner (2012)
Midwest Light of Human Rights Corporate Award (2007) -
Human Rights Campaign
Equality Award to Partner Paul M. Smith (2003) -
Human Trafficking Legal Center
"Champion of the Year Award' to Cindy Robertson (2020) -
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Early Adopter Award to Jeffrey D. Colman (2013)
Pro Bono Attorney of the Month to Associate Wade Thomson (2008) -
Illinois State Bar Association
Standing Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity “Community Leadership Award” (2013)
John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Award (2004)
Business-Education Partnership Award -
Juvenile Justice Initiative
2014 Leadership Award to Jeffrey Colman -
Korean American Bar Association of Chicago
Distinguished Service Award (2014) -
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
Bon Foster Memorial Civil Rights Award (2003) -
Law360
2015 "Pro Bono All-Star"
Top Pro Bono Firms (2010-2016) -
Lawyers Committee for Better Housing
Law Firm of the Year Award (2013)
Attorney of the Day Volunteer Award to Partner Anne S. Kenney and former associate Rachel Loftspring (2010) -
Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services
Scott C. Solberg Pro Bono Award (2012) -
Lesbian & Gay Bar Association of Chicago
Legal Service Award (2004) -
Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation
North America Pro Bono Firm of Year (2017) -
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
Legal Services Award (2001) -
Midwest Immigrant & Human Rights Center
The Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Human Rights Award
Ann Dee Harper Memorial Award -
Minority Corporate Counsel Association
Rainbowmaker Award to Partner David W. DeBruin and former partner Deanne E. Maynard (2003) -
National Law Journal
Pro Bono “Hot List” Award - 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2004, 2003 -
NAACP
"Foot Soldier in the Sand Award" (2019) -
National Legal Aid and Defender Association
The Arthur Von Briesen Award to Partner Donald B. Verrilli (2004) -
National Immigrant Justice Center
Hope Tone, "Rising Star" award (2020) - New York City Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution of Public Service (2013)
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Northwestern University School of Law
Student Funded Public Interest Fellowship Program Distinguished Alumnus Award to Partner Gabriel Fuentes (2012) -
Pro Bono Institute
John H. Pickering Award (2006) -
Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)
Distinguished Fellow Alumni Award to Brij Patnaik (2017)
Distinguished Fellow Alumni Award to Partner Andrew W. Vail (2014)
Recognition Roster (2010-2021)
Pro Bono Initiative Honor Roll (2006) -
Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago
Corporate Service Award (2004) -
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
Corporate Partner Award (2014) -
Seventh Circuit Bar Association
Pro Bono and Public Service Award to Partners Robert Stauffer, Matthew Hellman and Associates Kara Kapp and Elin Park (2014)
Pro Bono and Public Service Award to Partner Cathy Steege (2012)
John Paul Stevens Pro Bono Award to Partner Barry Levenstam (2010)
Pro Bono Service Award to Partner Jerold S. Solovy (1993) -
Sierra Club
Legal Heroes Award to Partners Robert Graham and Gabrielle Sigel and Associate Allison Torrence for pro bono representation (2012) -
Southern Center for Human Rights
Frederick Douglass Equal Justice Award to Partner David W. DeBruin (2013) -
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service to Partner Michael T. Brody and Associates Eric Fleddermann and Theo Lesczynski; and Partners Andrew W. Vail and Monica Pinciak and Associate Josh Levin (2021)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service to Partners J. Kevin McCall, Landon S. Raiford, Andrew W. Vail and Associates Lindsey A. Lusk and Briana T. Sprick Schuster; and Partner Catherine L. Steege (2019)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service to Partner Craig C. Martin and Associate Elin I. Park; Partners Robert L. Byman and Jennifer S. Senior and Associate Roni J. Cohen; and Partners Melissa M. Root, Stephen R. Brown, Justin C. Steffen, Jeffrey A. Atteberry and Rachel S. Morse; Of Counsel Daniel R. Murray; Associates Christopher M. Sheehan, Laura L. Norris, Anna J. Mitran and Matthew T. Gordon; Special Counsel Paul Alp; Staff Attorney Laura B. Duchesne; and Discovery Attorney Dusan Sarapa (2018)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service to Partner Matthew R. Devine and Associates Hillary E. August and Jordan C. Blumenthal (2016)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service to Partners Michael T. Brody, Richard T. Franch and former partner Keith Porapaiboon (2015)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service to Partners Timothy Barron and Benjamin Bradford and former associate Ashley Chi (2014)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service to Partners Craig Martin and David Jimenez-Ekman and Associates Joseph Dunn and Kristin Rakowski (2012)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Service to Partner Michael Doornweerd, Associate Marisa Perry and former associates Sean Tarantino & Katherine Neff Welsh (2010) - Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Service to Partner Jeffrey Colman (2009)
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United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
Growth and Innovation Award (2005) -
Washington Council of Lawyers
Law Firm of the Year Award (2003) -
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
Wiley A. Branton Award (2010)
