Legislators to receive Shepard pro bono award

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State Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, and Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, will receive the Indiana Pro Bono Commission’s Randall T. Shepard Award for excellence in pro bono publico, the Indiana Bar Foundation announced Thursday.

They are being recognized for their work in passing House Enrolled Act 1049, which added a $1 civil filing fee to go toward funding for pro bono district programs.

Steele and Koch will receive the award Oct. 26 as part of the Indiana State Bar Association’s annual meeting. Former Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard and Tax Judge Martha Wentworth, who chairs the Indiana Pro Bono Commission, will present the award to the legislators. The Indiana Bar Foundation will also present its pro bono and law-educated awards at the ceremony.

Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP; Kendall Millard and Mark Stuaan, both with Barnes & Thornburgh LLP; and private practice attorney Judy Tyrrell will receive pro bono awards.

Bingham Greenebaum Doll actively participates in pro bono programs, including Ask a Lawyer, the Civil Assistance Trial Panel, and the Mediation Assistance Program.

Millard has handled more than 25 pro bono cases since 2004 for indigent pro bono clients seeking asylum, and he has mentored other attorneys to do the same.

Stuaan has handled 10 criminal appeals before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals as appointed counsel, and he has a strong passion for helping young attorneys learn about the appellate system and the value of pro bono work.

Tyrrell provided assistance to a Venezuelan woman after she fled from her abusive husband with her six children. Tyrrell took the case despite being bullied by the abusive spouse to terminate her representation. The spouse filed a Hague Convention petition alleging the woman was in violation of international kidnapping laws. The case was eventually dismissed and the woman received relief.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana will receive the law-related education award for its bi-monthly brown bag series, “First Wednesdays,” on constitutional law issues.

The awards ceremony marks the end of the ISBA meeting. The event is free, but reservations are needed. For reservations, call 317-269-7864.

 

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