Husch Blackwell presented its annual Pro Bono Impact Award to Dallas associate Javon Johnson as part of National Pro Bono Week observances today.
Established in 2018, the firm’s Pro Bono Impact Award is presented annually to an attorney who has made a significant pro bono impact on behalf of those unable to afford legal representation and who made a special contribution to the establishment or enhancement of pro bono programs at Husch Blackwell.
“Javon is an outstanding advocate for his pro bono clients and is an inspirational role model for integrating pro bono representation into a busy practice,” said Margaret Richards, Husch Blackwell’s director of pro bono services. “Javon helped defend a family from a wrongful eviction and withholding of their security deposit. He secured a judgement in their favor for the full amount afforded under the law. Javon helped this family seek justice as they moved from homelessness to stability.”
Past recipients of Husch Blackwell’s Pro Bono Impact Award are:
During Pro Bono Week observances October 24-30, 2021, Husch Blackwell is celebrating the ways the firm made a big difference helping its pro bono clients navigate legal challenges. In recognition of the nearly 600 attorneys and other professionals who individually contributed pro bono hours from October 2020 through September 2021, the firm has issued Pro Bono Badges that distinguish the various levels of pro bono contributions:
- Contributor (up to 24 hours)
- Achiever (24-49 hours)
- Champion (50 or more hours)
“Pro Bono Week is an excellent time to celebrate the impactful pro bono work being done by our attorneys and professionals across the firm’s national footprint and to inspire others to get involved. Helen Keller once said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’ Our attorneys and professionals are showing this is still true today through their generous commitment to pro bono – one firm making a big difference for justice,” Richards said.
In 2020, Husch Blackwell donated $8.7 million of legal services to important pro bono causes with every office, industry group/unit and practice participating in the firm’s pro bono efforts. This year, Husch Blackwell professionals contributed thousands of pro bono hours to help meet a wide variety of needs across the country, including, but not limited to:
- Fighting for justice for the wrongfully convicted
- Assisting with rent and lease issues for tenants unable to make their monthly payments due to the pandemic
- Taking on legal work in association with the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance
- Providing advice to small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits facing various legal challenges
- Bringing families together through adoption
While Husch Blackwell always encourages its attorneys to participate in pro bono work, this year the firm specifically challenged all General Assignment Attorneys (GAAs) to participate, boosting the participation rate of this of this group 15 percent above an already-commendable 85 percent.