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Bar News - February 21, 2003 Pro Bono Program Applauds Outstanding Volunteers THE NH BAR Association's Pro Bono Program annually recognizes attorneys who show exceptional commitment and dedication to the Pro Bono Program and the clients it serves. The Pro Bono County Award is given to an attorney from each county in recognition of his or her outstanding volunteer efforts in providing pro bono legal representation to New Hampshire's most vulnerable citizens through the Pro Bono Program. As in 2001, the 2002 Pro Bono County Awards were presented in conjunction with Statewide Professionalism Day, held this year on Feb. 14 at courthouse locations in every county. (Professionalism Day took place after this issue of Bar News went to press; see the March 7 issue for coverage.) The following are this year's award recipients and brief descriptions of their service to Pro Bono. Belknap County ~ Robert L. Hemeon Robert Hemeon is an attorney with the law firm Wescott, Millham & Dyer who joined the NH Bar Association in 1972. He has been an active supporter of the Pro Bono Program for many years and in numerous capacities. Since the year 2000, Hemeon has worked on 13 cases for the Pro Bono Program. He is also an active participant in the Pro Bono Program's referral marathons, where he has spent many hours working the phones in order to place cases with other private bar attorneys. His dedication to and support of both the Pro Bono Program and the clients it serves have not gone unnoticed - attorney Hemeon has been presented with the Pro Bono County Award on two other occasions. Carroll County ~ Anne D. Barber Anne Barber is an attorney with the Conway law firm of Melendy & Lee. She has been a member of the NH Bar Association since 1995 and has served on the Pro Bono Program's attorney panel since 1996. Barber has been a tireless advocate for victims of domestic violence for many years; she has been an active participant in the Domestic Violence Emergency Project (DOVE) since joining the Pro Bono panel. She also volunteers as a family law mentor to other attorneys. Barber has accepted eight Pro Bono cases in the last two years, many of which have involved domestic violence issues and complex custody matters. Cheshire County ~ Tower, Crocker & Mullins Throughout the years, attorneys Tom Mullins, Jeff Crocker and David Tower of the Jaffrey firm of Tower, Crocker & Mullins have demonstrated a professional commitment to the Pro Bono Program and its low-income clients. The attorneys in this firm have taken 10 Pro Bono cases over the last two years, and each attorney keeps at least one Pro Bono case open at all times. The attorneys have represented Pro Bono clients in a variety of cases, from landlord/tenant disputes to complex custody cases to senior citizens needing assistance with drafting a simple will or durable power of attorney. The firm was also recognized in 1997 with the Cheshire County Pro Bono Award. Coos County ~ Alethea L. Froburg Attorney Alethea Froburg is a sole practitioner in Coos County. She joined the NH Bar Association in 1980 and has been a stalwart supporter of the Pro Bono Program for many years, evidenced by the fact that this is the seventh time attorney Froburg has been presented with the Coos County Pro Bono Award since 1985. She has taken nine Pro Bono cases in the past two years, is an active participant in the DOVE Project and has volunteered to be a family law mentor to other attorneys. Many of the Pro Bono cases Froburg takes involve domestic violence issues and custody disputes. These are some of the most challenging cases for the program to place, and Froburg often takes more than one of these cases at a time. Grafton County ~ Thomas H. Trunzo, Jr. In the past year, Trunzo accepted six new cases through which he has played a vital role in preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence, and providing stability to families in crisis. Trunzo is frequently called upon by many agencies in service to the poor and he always answers the call. This is the second time he has received this award, having provided solid support to his community, his profession and the Pro Bono Program since 1986. Like so many of his colleagues in Grafton County, Trunzo's commitment to serving the legal needs of the poor has made all the difference. Hillsborough North ~ McLane, Graf Raulerson & Middleton Supportive of the Pro Bono Program on every level, the Manchester law firm McLane, Graf Raulerson & Middleton has been a cornerstone of volunteer legal services for low-income people in New Hampshire for decades. Over the past 20 years, McLane attorneys have accepted approximately 600 cases from the Pro Bono Program, including 33 in 2002. The tough case, the case with an imminent hearing, the impaired client - the firm has not shied away from meeting the legal needs of some of the most disadvantaged families and individuals. The McLane firm has created a workplace that fosters and rewards volunteer service. From day one, associates are encouraged to do pro bono work, which instills in them a spirit of volunteerism that often grows throughout their careers. Many young associates first became involved with the Pro Bono Program during their years at McLane, then continued that commitment as they moved on to other firms. This is the first time the McLane firm has been the recipient of a County Pro Bono Award, but the firm was also recognized in 1990 with the NHBA's L. Jonathan Ross Award for Outstanding Commitment to Legal Services for the Poor.
Hillsborough South ~ Catherine E. Shanelaris Attorney Catherine Shanelaris is a partner in the Nashua law firm Shanelaris & Schirch. A member of the NH Bar since 1994, she been a very active participant in the Pro Bono Program since 2000, when she returned to private practice. When called upon, Shanelaris enthusiastically participates in the program's referral marathons. She brings to the Pro Bono Program a strong commitment and dedication to representing some of Hillsborough County's most vulnerable citizens in complex family law matters. She has taken five cases over the last two years and does not shy away from difficult cases or challenging clients. She is one of the Pro Bono Program's most ardent supporters. Merrimack County ~ Judith A. Roman Attorney Judy Roman is a sole practitioner in Merrimack County. She joined the NH Bar Association in 1989, and has since demonstrated an extraordinary amount of support for the Pro Bono Program and its disadvantaged and low-income clients. She is a very active participant in the DOVE Project and is called upon to respond to domestic violence-related emergencies several times a year. In the last two years, Roman has accepted 20 cases from the Pro Bono Program, and in cases she closed out in 2002, she recorded over 250 hours of pro bono time. The majority of the cases she handles involve domestic violence issues and complicated custody matters. She does not hesitate to accept difficult cases with challenging clients, offering understanding and empathy to those faced with the multiple challenges of poverty-related issues. Merrimack County ~ Katherine Bucklin Stearns The Pro Bono Program is privileged to have such a committed and passionate champion in promoting access to legal advocacy as Katherine Stearns. She is the paradigm of how the legal profession can positively impact our communities. Shortly after her admission to the NH Bar in 1994, Stearns joined the Pro Bono panel and accepted her first Pro Bone case. Forher, physical boundaries present a mere inconvenience - she has accepted Pro Bono cases in Merrimack, Sullivan, Belknap and Grafton Counties. Stearns serves on the DOVE panel for the Rape & Domestic Violence Crisis Center serving Merrimack County and Women's Supportive Services serving Sullivan County. During the past three years, Stearns, a solo practitioner, has provided over 550 volunteer hours in direct legal services to over 20 clients and their families. In addition to this extraordinary record, Stearns also serves on the Pro Bono Governing Board. Rockingham County ~ Christine Casa Just four months after her admission to the NH Bar in 1997, Christine Casa accepted her first Pro Bono divorce case, and her commitment to the program has never wavered. She has since accepted 15 cases from the Pro Bono Program, contributing hundreds of hours of volunteer service by offering her compassion and legal expertise to the most vulnerable members in her community. As testament to Casa's dedication and abilities, one Pro Bono client wrote: "I got all of what I wanted, full custody of children and divorce. I was extremely pleased with my services." Christine also serves as the Pro Bono coordinator for her firm, Boynton, Waldron, Doleac, Woodman & Scott, placing more than 10 additional cases with other associates in the firm. We also extend our appreciation to Boynton, Waldron, Doleac, Woodman & Scott for their support and encouragement and a strong spirit of volunteerism. Strafford County ~ Edward T. Clancy Attorney Ted Clancy is steadfast in his commitment to serving Pro Bono clients. Whether it is a domestic relations matter, landlord/tenant dispute or license revocation, Clancy is not one to shy away from a particularly challenging case. Despite his preference to handle one case at a time, his door is always open to the emergency referral. The Pro Bono staff respects Clancy's candid assessment of cases and appreciates his quick wit and the countless volunteer hours he has spent representing Pro Bono clients. Ted is a prior recipient of this award, having received recognition for his outstanding Pro Bono Program service in 1998. Sullivan County ~ Jessica Bladen Attorney Jessica Bladen of Lahey & Denault, who is the Sullivan County representative on the NHBA Board of Governors, is recognized for her outstanding contribution in providing representation to low-income individuals and families in Sullivan County. A relatively new lawyer, Bladen was admitted to the NH Bar in 2000. In 2002, she accepted three new Pro Bono family law cases. She also participated in Pro Bono's 2002 year-end referral marathons, successfully placing cases with her peers. Her professionalism, enthusiasm, and compassion are exemplary. The firm of Leahy & Denault received the Pro Bono County Award in 1995.
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