The Children’s Law Center has named Polsinelli as its 2015 Law Firm of the Year, for the second time in the past three years.
The firm was honored at a recent reception and pro bono awards ceremony put on by the Volunteer Lawyers Program, a civil law project of Community Legal Services and the Maricopa County Bar Association at its celebration recognizing 35 years of pro bono service.
Arizona Supreme Court Justice Ann Scott Timmer and the Honorable Paul McMurdie and the Honorable Colleen McNally presented the awards.
Polsinelli was selected for its volunteer efforts in connection with its commitment to pro bono service for children, including its work with a monthly Guardianship Clinic that provides advice and legal assistance to grandparents who need to become guardians of their grandchildren.
Polsinelli provides legal counsel to those involved in complex adoption and severance matters, helping to provide safe and permanent families to children. Polsinelli lawyers also accept court appointments to advocate for children involved in contested family court cases.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be selected for a second time by the Children’s Law Center as its Law Firm of the Year,” said Troy Froderman, chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. “Polsinelli is proud of its tradition of providing legal services to those who would otherwise not be able to access them. Our attorneys are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community in this way.”
The Children’s Law Center was established in 1998 by the Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) and is co-sponsored by the Maricopa County Bar Association and Community Legal Services. Its goal is to address the unmet legal needs of children.
Over 120 attorneys from firms throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area volunteer each year to fill gaps in legal assistance for children of diverse ethnic, racial and economic backgrounds. Current programs include Free Advice Clinics for Teens, the Court Advisor Project, the Minor Guardianship Project, the Guardianship Clinic, Teens at Work, the Adoption Project and Medical Legal Partnership.
“We are excited that Polsinelli is being recognized with this award.” said Roni Tropper, Esq., Children’s Law Center Program coordinator. “The firm serves as our ‘go to’ law firm, in part because it is always willing to help, especially when there is an urgent need involving the well being of a child.”
Christina Kelly, one of the shareholders at Polsinelli who is involved in the Children’s Law Center pro bono program said, “My colleagues and I value each opportunity to be of service to children and families in need. We are grateful to be part of a firm that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to public service.”
Polsinelli’s commitment to advocacy on behalf of children and families has received national recognition. In 2014, Polsinelli was one of only twenty law firms nationwide that were honored in Washington D.C. by the National Legal Aid and Defender Association with the Beacon of Justice Award for the firm’s commitment to pro bono service. Over the past fiscal year Polsinelli attorneys have dedicated 22,481 hours toward pro bono efforts.
