At Elon Law's sixth and final reception with the legal community for the academic year, the law school recognized students for pro bono and community service. Henry Isaacson, senior partner of Isaacson Isaacson Sheridan & Fountain, LLP, spoke on the importance of pro bono work.
OVERALL PRO BONO & COMMUNITY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
The April 12 event celebrated the following contributions of Elon Law students:
- The Class of 2012 reported approximately 25,000 hours of legal services to the community over the past three years through pro bono opportunities, such as the Tax Assistance Program, Wills for Heroes and Innocence Project, as well as through the Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic, Wills Clinic and other curricular offerings such as Street Law and Public Law & Leadership courses;
- Thirty-three members of the graduating class were recognized this year for performing at least 75 hours of pro bono service;
- In the 2011-‘12 academic year Elon Law students performed 16,813 hours of legal service;
- In addition to pro bono service, students continue to contribute significantly to the local community. Through fundraisers, food and clothing drives, Elon Law students support local chapters of the American Red Cross, Alzheimer’s’ Foundations, women’s domestic violence shelters, Urban Ministries, and many more organizations.
REMARKS BY HENRY ISAACSON
In his remarks, Henry Isaacson commended law students for the amount of pro bono work they have accomplished during their tenure at Elon Law.
“The pro bono work that you’ve done is really amazing,” said Isaacson. “You’ve demonstrated your ability to do pro bono work before you even set sail on your legal career.”
Isaacson spoke about the importance of incorporating pro bono work and community service into any practice of law.
“I urge you to continue devoting some portion of your life to helping others,” he said.
Isaacson also talked about the presence of Elon Law and its students’ accomplishments over the past six years.
“I love coming over here,” he told the audience. “This is, to me, the future of North Carolina, and certainly the future of Greensboro.”
Law school dean George R. Johnson, Jr. introduced Isaacson.
“There are few names that match Henry Isaacson in the level of commitment and work and service that he has given to this community,” Johnson said. “As an example of what your careers should look like, Henry Isaacson is really a role model.”
CLASS AND INDIVIDUAL RECOGNITION FOR PRO BONO & COMMUNITY SERVICE
At the reception, the newly created Pro Bono Board at Elon Law recognized the following groups and students for pro bono and community service:
- The Class of 2014 logged a combined total of 894 hours, and Monique Smart was presented with an award for completing the most pro bono hours out of her class;
- The Class of 2013 logged a combined total of 2,009 hours of pro bono work thus far, and Kathryn Maultsby was recognized for completing the most hours in her class;
- The Class of 2012 logged a total of 7,459 hours of pro bono work during their time at Elon, and a plaque was presented to third year student, Tom Green, who has completed the most pro bono hours out of the class, contributing 480 hours.
- The North Carolina Bar Association recognizes students who log more than 75 hours of pro bono service during their time in law school and certificates of recognition were given out to third year students who met that accomplishment. Elon Law students receiving this recognition are noted below.
The Pro Bono Board also commended the work of Elon Law’s two law clinics. In the spring and fall of 2011, the Wills Drafting Clinic prepared estate-planning documents for 23 clients and contributed 1,040 hours of time to the Greensboro community. One student whose service to the Wills Drafting Clinic particularly stood out to the board and the faculty was Johanna Knight, L’12, and she was presented with an Exceptional Service Award.
The Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic helped 629 clients during the spring and fall of 2011 with political asylum, family reunification, humanitarian parole, citizenship and permanent residence cases. Students working in the clinic contributed 2,910 hours of time to the Greensboro community. Ben Snyder, L’12, was recognized for his efforts and help with the clinic and was presented with an Exceptional Service Award. Ben Snyder was also awarded the Making a Difference Award for his leadership ability, his contributions to Elon Law, and his service to the Elon and Greensboro communities.
In his closing remarks, Dean Johnson congratulated the students for their involvement with the community and the amount of pro bono work and community service the student body has performed.
“This is really what Elon Law exemplifies,” Johnson said.
Click here for more information on the pro bono and community service activities of Elon Law students.
About Henry Isaacson
Henry Isaacson practices extensively in the areas of Zoning and Land Use and Regulation, as well as Civil Litigation and General Corporate Law. He has achieved the AV rating by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating awarded to attorneys. In addition to the practice of law, Isaacson has been very active in his community serving in numerous capacities for an array of organizations and agencies both past and present. Isaacson has also received many awards from his peers and others, including the Centennial Award for Outstanding and Exemplary Community Service by the North Carolina Bar Association in conjunction with the Greensboro Bar Association.
About the Pro Bono Board
The Pro Bono Board is a stand-alone, student-run organization that was established in the fall of 2011 to support pro bono initiatives and to encourage active participation in pro bono activities at Elon Law. The Pro Bono Board consists of law students Ben Snyder, Jason Senges, Jack Westall, Stephen Hegedus, Shoshana Fried, Melody Menzer and Molly Barns.
Class of 2012 Pro Bono Recognition
Members of the Class of 2012 recognized by the Pro Bono Board for contributing more than 75 hours of pro bono service during their time at Elon Law:
Ashley Clark
Ashley Smith
Austin Morris
B. J. Williams
Benjamin Snyder
Brennan Aberle
Brian Scott Morgan
Carrie Johnston
Christopher Avery
Collin Cooper
Crystal Sumner
Danielle Appleman
Danielle Kennedy
Hasina Lewis
Heather Deal
Heather Sangtinette
Jennifer Mathews
Jill Kirshner
Joe Baker
Josh Nielsen
Kathy Stewart
Leona Schweins
Lien To
Mathew White
Matt Kraus
Megan Spidell
Meghan Varner
Pamela Lawrence
Phillip Clontz
Robert Garner
Tara Austin
Tom Green
Whitney Butcher
Article by Ashley Smith L’12