Carl Pebworth Given Shepard Award for Pro Bono Contributions

Carl Pebworth, a partner at Baker & Daniels LLP, received the Randall T. Shepard Award for his commitment and contributions to promoting access to justice, increasing the delivery of legal services for the poor in Indiana, and helping satisfy previously unmet needs and increased service to underserved communities through the development of innovative programs and initiatives throughout the State of Indiana. The honor was presented by the Indiana Bar Foundation and Indiana Pro Bono Commission during their 2008 awards dinner on October 3.

Two other Baker & Daniels professionals received Law-Related Education Awards for excellence in providing information that enhances the public's understanding of the law and the legal system. Baker & Daniels recipients were:

• Caryn Glawe, a Baker & Daniels associate, for her outstanding commitment to the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program. Glawe has also led the effort to provide a practice location for Indiana's state championship team that began when the Indiana State Bar Association's offices were closed due to severe storm damages two years ago and has continued since. She set a standard for that practice session that is now being modeled throughout the country.
• Brita Horvath, Baker & Daniels' diversity and pro bono coordinator, for her support of civic and law-related education. She gave students a chance to work with and learn from Indiana's constitutional experts. Horvath ensures a new generation of citizens will better understand the legal community.

Pebworth, who led Baker & Daniels to become one of Indiana's leading law firms committed to pro bono services, was recognized for many outstanding achievements. Over the past four years, Baker & Daniels has quadrupled the number of hours it commits to pro bono and public interest projects and volunteer work. Currently, Pebworth is helping lead an ongoing Legal Needs of the Poor Study in Indiana. The final report is expected in December, and the results will be the foundation for strategic planning regarding promoting access to justice and the delivery of pro bono services in the state.

In addition, Pebworth has helped to develop a collaboration between Baker & Daniels and Indiana law institutions — including Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington, Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis and the University of Notre Dame School of Law — to work together in promoting access to justice through pro bono and public interest projects and initiatives throughout Indiana. He hopes the initiative will encourage law students to promote access to justice for low income populations and to pursue pro bono work both during and after law school.

Pebworth is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association's Committee on Pro Bono, which he chaired between 2004 and 2007. He is also a member of the Indiana Pro Bono Commission. Pebworth chairs Baker & Daniels' committee on pro bono and public service, and he directs the firm's pro bono and public interest program. His practice centers on commercial and real estate litigation.

Pebworth is also currently president of the Meridian Kessler Neighborhood Association. His other community and public interest volunteer work has included service on the boards of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the Commons Project, Southeast Neighborhood Development, Indianapolis Parks Foundation, Maple Road Development Association, Mayor's Taskforce on Code Compliance, Mayor's Housing Taskforce, Neighborhood Advocacy Corporation and the United Way Day of Caring steering committee.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr. also received a 2008 Shepard Award. He is the mind behind the Hammond Legal Aid Clinic, the first municipally run legal clinic.

Founded in 1863, Baker & Daniels LLP is one of Indiana's largest law firms. With more than 370 lawyers and legal professionals, Baker & Daniels serves clients in regional, national and international transaction, regulatory and litigation matters from offices in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Beijing.