Hiscock & Barclay Law Firm Receives Highest Award from the New York State Bar for its Innovative Pro Bono Program
5/21/2010

Hiscock & Barclay, LLP received the 2010 President’s Pro Bono Service Award from the New York State Bar Association, making it the first Upstate New York law firm to receive the distinction in the large law firm category. Firm Partners Sheila Gaddis, Connie Cahill and Larry Zimmerman accepted the award on behalf of the Firm at the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA) awards luncheon at the State Bar Center in Albany on May 3, 2010.

Thousands of hours have been dedicated by Hiscock & Barclay attorneys and paralegals who provide pro bono legal services through volunteer lawyer programs in cities throughout the state. The Firm’s commitment to public service, established pro bono policy, elimination of economic disincentives for pro bono service, and pro bono fairs firm-wide were notable factors in this award. One of the cornerstones of Hiscock & Barclay’s pro bono program involves its participation in the innovative “Say Yes to Education” program in the Syracuse City School District.

NYSBA annually bestows the President’s Pro Bono Service Awards on those firms and individuals who have rendered extraordinary pro bono service, which includes free legal services. The Bar Association presents these awards to publicly recognize and thank the people and firms who give such service and also to convey a message to the profession and the public about the importance of pro bono in achieving equal access to justice.

“The Firm is extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Hiscock & Barclay’s Managing Partner John P. Langan. “We recognize our professional responsibility to provide legal services on a pro bono basis to persons of limited means and support a variety of civic and charitable organizations as well. The benefits of serving individuals and organizations that are underrepresented in our existing client base are mutually beneficial. Pro bono work provides meaningful opportunities for training and professional development of our lawyers while serving a segment of the population that has great needs.” According to Langan, “We see pro bono service as a way to make a difference in the lives of our clients and the communities we serve.”

Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, listed as a “Top 250 Firm” by The National Law Journal, is a full-service, 200-attorney law firm, with offices throughout the major cities of New York State, as well as in Boston, Washington, D.C. and Toronto, providing comprehensive legal and business counsel to a diverse client base in 30 practice areas. For more information on Hiscock & Barclay, visit www.hblaw.com.