Posted May 2, 20149:36 pm
Ann McGowan Porath, managing attorney of Legal Aid's Volunteer Lawyers Program and Intake Office, was honored at the national Equal Justice Conference.
Ms. Porath was presented with the Tanya Nieman Pro Bono Professional of the Year Award.
Presented regularly since 1989, The Tanya Neiman Pro Bono Professional of the Year Award honors the memory of Tanya Neiman, the former director of the Volunteer Legal Services Program of San Francisco. The award is presented to a Pro Bono Professional who has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to civil pro bono services delivery, given exceptional service and achieved outstanding results. The award is sponsored by the National Association of Pro Bono Professionals and was presented at the 2014 Equal Justice Conference, co-hosted by the American Bar Association and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.
Pat Haggerty, an attorney at Frantz Ward and current chair of Legal Aid's pro bono committee, works closely with Ann on strategic plans for Legal Aid's Volunteer Lawyers Program. Pat believes "The benefit we receive from Ann's near encyclopedic knowledge of the substantive legal issues our clients face is surpassed only by the high regard in which she is held by our volunteers. We are enriched every day Ann humbly offers her services in pursuit of justice for the vulnerable among us."
Ms. Porath oversees Cleveland Legal Aid's impressive 1600 volunteer lawyers and more than 200 law students. Last year, 20% of Legal Aid's cases were handled by volunteers, representing nearly $1 million in donated services. Ms. Porath has been with Cleveland Legal Aid for more than 30 years.