Hunton & Williams LLP To Receive NLADA's Beacon of Justice Award for Pro Bono Work Involving Immigration Matters

WASHINGTON — September 21, 2010 — Hunton & Williams LLP has been selected to receive the "2010 Beacon of Justice Award" from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, which annually acknowledges law firms that have provided an exemplary pro bono commitment to a designated area of representation. Hunton & Williams was nominated for the award in recognition of its pro bono contributions in the area of immigration law by Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services of D.C. and by a member of NLADA's Death Penalty Mitigation Section.

"We have a passion for helping those in need and this recognition underscores our commitment to providing pro bono service," said George H. Hettrick, chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Leadership Committee. "It is immensely rewarding to be able to help our community and we are honored to receive the Beacon of Justice Award."

Hunton & Williams handled 126 pro bono immigration issues between January 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Lawyers in our Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Richmond, and Washington offices dedicated 9,620 pro bono hours representing clients in obtaining asylum or post-asylum benefits; acting for detained and nondetained asylees in removal proceedings; filing asylum appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals; advocating with USCIS for Haiti immigration relief; and devoting time to many other immigration-related legal services. Hunton & Williams has met or exceeded the Pro Bono Institute's Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge of donating at least 3 percent of its annual billable hours to pro bono service for 16 continuous years. In 2009, the firm received the Pro Bono Institute’s John H. Pickering Award.

The Beacon of Justice winners will be honored at the NLADA "Championing Justice: Marching Toward 100 Years" Awards Dinner on October 6, 2010 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington.