May 06, 2004

Hanson Bridgett Attorneys Honored with Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Award -- Firm Honored with Nomination for President's Award

Hanson Bridgett LLP is pleased to announce that litigation associates Jesus Corral, Jordan Lavinsky, Hussein Saffouri and Batya Swenson, and paralegal Dan Sterkin received the 2003 Wiley W. Manuel Award from the Legal Aid of the North Bay and the Marin County Bar Association, in recognition of their pro bono service. The award was presented on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at the Marin County Bar Association's annual Pro Bono Recognition Dinner at the Seafood Peddler restaurant in San Rafael.

The award honors attorneys and paralegals for outstanding contributions to pro bono service in the previous year to low income and elderly residents of Marin and Napa counties. Corral, Saffouri, Swensen and Sterkin assisted Legal Aid with representing nearly 400 low-income seniors and families living at the Contempo Marin Mobile Home Park in San Rafael. Lavinsky worked with Legal Aid on a domestic violence and child custody matter. Two additional Hanson Bridgett attorneys, senior counsel Kurt Franklin and partner Gordon McAuley, received honorable mention for their work with Legal Aid on other pro bono cases.

In addition to these individual awards, Roy Chernus, Executive Director of Legal Aid announced that the organization had nominated Hanson Bridgett for a State Bar President's Award for its outstanding support of Legal Aid last year.

"I believe that all attorneys have a responsibility to provide volunteer legal services in the community, and I am truly proud that my colleagues and our firm have been honored for their pro bono contributions," said Andrew Giacomini, Managing Partner of Hanson Bridgett. "It is a privilege to work with these individuals, each of whom have selflessly contributed their time to provide pro bono legal assistance to the people in our community who otherwise could not afford such services."

Recipient Jordan Lavinsky said, "Receiving recognition for the time I have dedicated to a worthy cause is always appreciated. But knowing that I have made a positive change in my client's life is all the satisfaction I need."

Hanson Bridgett has always been firmly committed to providing legal services to those individuals, organizations and businesses in our community who cannot readily afford the costs of legal representation. In 2003, over 55% of our attorneys participated in pro bono matters. In 2002, four Hanson Bridgett attorneys received the Wiley W. Manuel Award, and ten of our attorneys received the 2001 award.

The Wiley W. Manuel Award was established in 1989 by the State Bar of California. The late Justice Manuel served as a California Supreme Court Associate Justice from 1977-1981, following 23 years with the Attorney General's office, the last three of which were as chief assistant attorney general. Justice Manuel's legal career and his personal life were marked by a dedication to hard work, public service and the concept of equal justice for all segments of society.

Contact:
Jesus Corral, Esq., Jordan Lavinsky, Esq., Hussein Saffouri, Esq., Batya Swenson, Esq.

Hanson Bridgett Public Relations:
P: 415-995-5192, F: 415-541-9366

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