At the recent annual meeting of the Louisiana State Bar Association in Destin, FL, two of The Pro Bono Project’s most ardent supporters were honored with the prestigious President’s Award, which recognizes attorneys for their substantial contribution to the legal profession.
Chris Ralston (l) with LSBA President Mark Cunningham (r)
Photo courtesy of Louisiana State Bar Association | Matthew Hinton | Matthew Hinton Photography
Current Project Board and Executive Committee First Vice Chair, Christopher Ralston, Phelps Dunbar, was honored for his contributions in the area of Access to Justice and Diversity in the legal profession. Read the media release.
Former Project Board Chair and current member of the Resource Development Committee, Mark Surprenant, Adams and Reese, was acknowledged for his role in the development of the Access to Justice Intern Program and the New Orleans Re-entry Program, as well as for his chairmanship of the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. Read the media release.
Mark Surprenant (l) with LSBA President Mark Cunningham (r)
Photo courtesy of Louisiana State Bar Association | Matthew Hinton | Matthew Hinton Photography
“The Board, staff and fellow volunteers are so pleased that the state Bar has acknowledged the significant contribution that both Chris and Mark have made, and continue to make, to the legal profession on a daily basis.
"The Project has been fortunate to have them both involved as Board and Committee members for many years. They have both worked in many capacities to help make our organization stronger and more responsive to the needs of the community. This recognition by the LSBA is a testament to Chris and Mark’s commitment to the legal profession and to the communities which they serve,” said The Project’s Executive Director, Jennifer Rizzo-Choi.
Both Chris and Mark have given much to The Pro Bono Project over the years in time, talent and financial support. Most recently, The Project benefitted firsthand from Mark’s role in the Access to Justice Intern Program, when the organization hosted two interns selected as part of the inaugural session last month. Loyola Law’s Annie Lemoine and Tulane Law’s Sarah Smith-Clevenger spent three days at The Project learning about how a successful, volunteer-based civil legal service delivery service works. Read our accompanying article: The Next Generation ...
Our sincere congratulations to Chris, Mark, and all of the award winners at the recent LSBA Annual Meeting.