Seven Receive Awards for Pro Bono Projects

Six lawyers and one paralegal dedicated to helping others through pro bono services recently became the first recipients of Charles L. Whistler Pro Bono Awards at Baker & Daniels LLP.

"These professionals help continue the legacy of care, leadership, public service and community involvement for which Chuck set the standard throughout his career," Brian K. Burke, chair and chief executive officer at Baker & Daniels, said. "We remember Chuck with this award in the hope that his example will inspire future generations of our people."

Baker & Daniels professionals recognized for their legal work to help the underserved were:

• Matt Albaugh, who argued the firm's first appellate pro bono case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and is helping organize a state appellate pro bono initiative working with the Indiana State Bar Association and Indiana Supreme Court.
• Jane Dall, who played an integral part in the Seventh Circuit advocacy representation in Chicago, is helping to develop the state appellate project and coordinates Baker & Daniels' ongoing volunteer tutoring program for elementary students at IPS School 39.
• Terry Hall, an active participant in a number of state pro bono programs for children who also in 2006 undertook a pro bono representation in Putnam County, recovered attorney's fees and then donated all the fees to the local pro bono committee.
• Rhonda Jackson, a paralegal who has helped coordinate the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society's annual holiday fundraising campaign over the last three years, allowing lawyers to help thousands of people who need legal services but can't afford to pay for them.
• Matt Lamkin, who has spearheaded the firm's immigration and asylum pro bono representation, helped deepen a partnership with the National Immigration Justice Center and represents a Kenyan citizen trying to immigrate after his wife's death due to childbirth.
• Jon Laramore, a prime architect of Baker & Daniels' new state appellate pro bono program who also has brought a wealth of experience in helping initiate the firm's capital litigation and protective order pro bono projects.
• Chad Priest, a founder and coordinating force behind the Indiana Health Advocacy Coalition that is committed to providing enhanced representation of patient needs and leader of protective order domestic violence and adult guardianship cases in 2006.

Baker & Daniels has a long-standing commitment to public service and organizations working on issues relating to access to justice. A committee of more than 35 Baker & Daniels lawyers facilitates pro bono programs to develop strategies that leverage the firm's collective experience and resources to improve and expand access to justice for the underserved.

The firm's pro bono award is named in memory of Charles L. Whistler, a former Baker & Daniels lawyer whose vision, talent and energy helped shape Indianapolis. He represented diverse interests and an array of projects, including Uni-Gov, beautification of downtown, creation of the City Center on the Monument Circle, opening of the Indiana Theater and planning of White River State Park. Whistler died in 1981 at age 55.

Founded in 1863, Baker & Daniels is one of Indiana's largest law firms. With more than 350 lawyers and consulting professionals, Baker & Daniels serves clients in regional, national and international business and litigation matters from offices in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend and Elkhart, Ind.; Washington, D.C.; and China.