EMPHASIZING THE TIE between professionalism and public service, awards were recently presented to attorneys or law firms in each Superior Court district for outstanding efforts on behalf of low-income clients through the NHBA Pro Bono Referral System.

The awards were presented at the first Statewide Professionalism Day program to provide maximum visibility to the recognition of the public service efforts of Pro Bono attorneys. The Pro Bono Program has been making annual county awards for pro bono work since 1985.

Each year, attorneys contribute thousands of hours of their professional time through the Bar’s Pro Bono Referral Program to assist families with critical needs – by obtaining child support, representing domestic violence victims, or helping low-income clients facing eviction in an extremely tight housing market, for example. And this doesn’t include the informal pro bono activity of many attorneys throughout the state.

The following are the 2001 County Pro Bono Award recipients, with information from the Pro Bono Program on why they were singled out for recognition.

Her willingness to take a case on a moment’s notice has been especially important when dealing with time-sensitive landlord/tenant matters. In the past couple of years, she has accepted five new cases, even while providing ongoing representation in an older and particularly difficult pro bono case. Her support and participation have made a significant difference in the lives of some of Belknap County’s most needy individuals.

Attorney Smillie has been a supportive participant in the Pro Bono Program since 1996. While working on a particularly difficult family law case that lasted several years, she continued to take additional pro bono cases. Her ability to respond quickly has made her a vital asset to the Pro Bono Program in Carroll County.

Cheshire County: Gregory Martin, sole practitioner, Keene

Attorney Martin has been an active supporter and participant in the Pro Bono Program for many years and in numerous capacities. He has served on the Pro Bono Board and has participated in several Pro Bono referral marathons. He is willing to take on pro bono cases that run the gamut from consumer law issues to family law and landlord tenant matters. His support is evident in that this is the third time he has been the recipient of this Pro Bono Award.

Attorney Goss has been a Pro Bono volunteer since joining the New Hampshire Bar in 1992, although this is his first Coos County Pro Bono Award. In the past two years alone, he has accepted five new pro bono cases. He performs a vital service to needy individuals in the North County and is a great asset to the Pro Bono Program.

This law firm over the years has shown exceptional support and generosity in helping to meet the legal needs of low-income residents in both Grafton and Sullivan counties. In addition to never shying away from tough cases, Baker & Hayes attorneys have inspired others to consider pro bono service. It is not surprising that this is the fourth time the Grafton County Pro Bono Award has been given to the members of this firm.

If the case is in Manchester, the facts complicated and the client troubled, Pro Bono frequently calls Jim Tenn to help. He returns those calls. He takes the cases. Jim usually has at least one pro bono and DOVE (domestic violence) case going on at any given time. When chair of the Bar’s New Lawyers’ Committee, he encouraged public service and pro bono participation, he helped draft Pro Bono’s Pro Se Divorce Booklet and he serves on the Pro Bono Program’s Governing Policy Board.

He is accomplished in many roles as a Pro Bono volunteer: advocate, mentor, educator, colleague and advisor are among the roles he’s played. Since the inception of the nationally recognized Domestic Violence Emergency Project in 1992, attorney Leary has been instrumental in recruiting and educating lawyers to serve this program, helping to provide safety and financial security for victims of domestic violence through the legal system.

Since joining the Pro Bono Program as a volunteer in 1997, attorney Miner has volunteered his time each week to speak with Pro Bono Program clients who are waiting for placement with an attorney. He has spoken with well over 250 clients, offering advice, a sympathetic ear, an explanation of the judicial process, and guidance on how to work with an attorney. And since 1997, Ed Miner has taken on 21 cases, mostly contested family law cases, including some in which clients were living out of state. He has also represented clients through the DOVE program.

In the past two years, he has assisted eight clients through bankruptcy proceedings, enabling them to establish a fresh start and financial stability for their families. The Pro Bono Program applauds Patrick Harrigan for his participation as a volunteer for our program and his service to those who truly need his assistance.

Although we have many outstanding Pro Bono volunteers in Strafford County, attorney William Boc, a name synonymous with Pro Bono volunteer, has been selected to receive the Strafford Pro Bono Award. The consummate volunteer, he is someone who calls asking for his next case and wonders why it hasn’t been sent already. His history with Pro Bono includes many years of volunteer service. In the past two years, he and his staff have provided legal services to over 10 families.

This year’s award is presented to the Newport firm of Elliott, Jasper, Auten & Shklar. Beginning in 1985, individually or collectively, members of this firm have received this award seven times. In this 2000-2001 award period, Elliott, Jasper, Auten & Shklar attorneys have taken on 14 pro bono cases, representing low-income residents of Sullivan County at domestic violence hearings, custody and divorce proceedings, in bankruptcy court, and providing counsel on consumer and estate matters.

"The Pro Bono Referral Program exists because of the many generous volunteers willing to share their passions and experience with the most vulnerable members of their communities," said Virginia A. Martin, NHBA associate executive director for legal services.

" We look to attorney volunteers for assistance in many areas of law. It is a sad reality that poverty impacts people’s lives at many junctures. We are thankful to all of the attorneys who daily are making a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable people in New Hampshire. On behalf of the Pro Bono Program and all the people who have been the beneficiaries of such good will, you have our respect and gratitude," Martin said.

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