Bet Tzedek Legal Services today announced that Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is being honored as its Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, and Brandon C. Fernald, a senior associate in the Los Angeles office of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, is the recipient of the 2008 Elyse Kline Award for pro bono attorney of the year.

Bet Tzedek, the respected public-interest law firm serving elderly, indigent and disabled residents in the Los Angeles area, will also pay tribute to Ruth Grunfeld and Marvin Leon, both longtime volunteer attorneys with the organization. The awards will be presented at a recognition dinner on Wed., July 30, where California State Bar President Jeff Bleich will deliver keynote remarks.

Annually, more than 600 volunteer attorneys-from major law firms, corporate legal departments and solo practitioners-contribute in excess of 42,000 hours to assist Bet Tzedek in serving 12,000 clients-in-need free of charge, according to Elissa Barrett, the organization's pro bono director. "I am continuously humbled by the outpouring of time and generosity of spirit by lawyers and other volunteers-truly the lifeblood of our organization," she said.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt is being recognized for its ongoing, extensive commitment to the organization, most notably its current role as national coordinating law firm for Bet Tzedek's Holocaust Survivors Justice Network. Under that initiative, Manatt is leading an effort that has, to date, enlisted more than 80 law firms and 30 Jewish social service agencies throughout the United States for a network of clinics serving Holocaust survivors in reparation claims filing with the German government. Germany enacted the Ghetto Work Reparation Payment program last fall and Bet Tzedek, supported by Manatt, has played a leadership role in driving claim-filing efforts by survivors in the U.S.

Regarding Manatt's selection as Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, President and CEO Mitchell Kamin said, "We are profoundly grateful to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips for the depth and breadth of its support to Bet Tzedek and our mission of providing equal justice for all. The firm stands as a distinguished, influential exemplar for the legal profession-and the broader community, as well-for its tradition of giving back through pro bono and public service. This work has made a significant difference not only to Bet Tzedek, but more notably, to countless lives touched by the firm's selfless efforts."

Brandon C. Fernald

Fernald, the Elyse Kline Award pro bono attorney of the year honoree, led a team to trial in a real estate fraud matter, representing an elderly woman whose relatives used undue influence to defraud her out of title to her home. Fernald and his colleagues from the Fulbright firm obtained a judgment in their client's favor and $345,000 in damages and attorneys fees.

Describing the outcome as "incredibly moving," Fernald said, "Litigators do themselves a tremendous service by becoming involved in pro bono opportunities such as those offered by Bet Tzedek. Not only does it provide an opportunity to run a case, take depositions and go to trial, it is also a terrific way to give back to the community."

Volunteer Attorneys of the Year

Grunfeld will receive Bet Tzedek's Andre Gendell Award as volunteer of the year for her work with the organization's public benefits group, representing disabled clients in Social Security benefit administrative appeals. Born in Europe, Grunfeld lived in Israel before moving to Pennsylvania where her husband taught at Drexel University and she became a bar-certified attorney. She began her work on behalf of low-income clients working at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia.

Associated with the organization for more than nine years, Leon is Valley Bet Tzedek's volunteer of the year. Presently "of counsel" to Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp LLP, where for more than 35 years he was a partner, Leon devoted most of his professional career to serving major corporate clients in real estate matters. He is recognized in the 2008 edition of Best Lawyers in America. At Bet Tzedek, he serves as an "intake" volunteer, gathering facts pertaining to clients' legal problems and working with staff to formulate representation and available services.

"My work for Bet Tzedek provides a total sense of satisfaction," said Leon. "It's often a 'reality check' regarding the conditions under which many in our community live and I'm glad to have the opportunity to level the playing field and hold accountable those who violate our clients' legal protections."