This page is devoted to all attorneys that have provided their time, assistance, knowledge and a helping hand to those in need of legal assistance. Your services have truly been a great relief for someone who otherwise would have been lost in our judicial system.

With the deepest appreciation and respect,

2009 PRO BONO ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR

Scott H. Martin, Snow, Christensen & Martineau

In 2008 Scott H. Martin provided pro bono legal representation for the organization SPLORE (Special Populations Learning Outdoor Recreation and Education).  SPLORE is a local grassroots volunteer supported non-profit organization that provides outdoor recreation services to children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral disabilities.  When SPLORE was threatened with closure due to an insurance policy coverage dispute with its contracted insurance carrier, Mr. Martin dedicated a significant portion of his legal practice in 2008 to what was a very detailed and legally complex case.  He brought the case from its inception all the way to a successful resolution on a widely briefed and argued summary judgment issue. Thanks to the dedication of Scott H. Martin, Utah will still benefit from the unique experiences that the SPLORE organization provides to some of Utah’s most vulnerable citizens.  It is the Utah State Bar’s honor to award Scott H. Martin with the 2009 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award. See past Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award Recepients>>>

PRO BONO COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY AWARD

Professor Linda F. Smith, S.J. Quinney Law School

Professor Smith has directed and developed the Clinical Program at S.J. Quinney over the past two decades and is responsible for teaching an entire generation of attorneys about problems the indigent community faces in accessing our legal system.  Professor Smith undertakes difficult pro bono family law cases, volunteers at the Salt Lake Family Law Clinic and has been an advocate for equal access to the justice system.  Professor Smith serves on the Committee for Self-Represented Litigants, and provides leadership by serving on the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center and the Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic board and committees.  The Utah State Bar is proud to present Professor Linda F. Smith with the Pro Bono Commitment to Community Award for her lifelong commitment to increasing access to justice in Utah.

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PRO BONO LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

FORD & HUFF, LC

The Law Firm of Ford & Huff, LC is uniquely committed to providing pro bono and low bono legal services.  When managing partner Adam Ford decided to form Ford & Huff, he established pro bono service as one of the core values of the firm.  To this end, one of the firm’s first actions was to hire a pro bono coordinator before the firm had even found permanent office space.  As part of the firm’s dedication to serving the community, each new attorney who joins the firm is required to make a commitment of at least 50 hours of pro bono service per year as a condition of their employment.  To help focus the firm’s pro bono efforts Ford & Huff collaborates with many organizations including: Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, Central Utah Bar Association and Centro Hispano.  These collaborations have enabled Ford & Huff to provide pro bono legal assistance to some of Utah County most deserving residents.  The Pro Bono Project is proud to honor this innovative firm with the 2009 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award.

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PRO BONO YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Melissa Fulkerson, Keith Barton & Associates

Melissa began her practice at the Salt Lake City Legal Defenders Association where she was a trial attorney in the misdemeanor division. Upon leaving the Legal Defenders Association, Ms. Fulkerson accepted a position with Keith Barton & Associates taking several of her pending cases with her on a pro bono basis.  Ms. Fulkerson completed ten pro bono cases in 2008.  The Pro Bono Project is proud to honor Melissa Fulkerson with the Pro Bono Young Lawyer of the Year Award.

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PRO BONO LEGAL AID ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR

Timothy J. Williams, Utah Legal Services

Civil Legal Aid Attorneys are often the unsung heroes of the pro bono world.  In addition to being a staff attorney at Utah Legal Services, Tim also volunteers as a Moot Court Judge, has handled one pro bono small claims case this past year and has been known to represent petitioners at their Protective Order hearings even if they are not Legal Service clients.  Before Mr. Williams worked at Utah Legal Services, he was an active and dedicated pro bono attorney through his private practice.  Once hired, he continued working on his pro bono cases until they were completed. It is the Pro Bono Project’s honor to award this dedicated attorney with the Pro Bono Legal Aid Attorney of the Year.

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PRO BONO SENIOR ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR

Nicholas J. Angelides

Over the course of the last year alone, Nick Angelides has donated 720 hours of his time to assisting low income senior citizens with their legal issues.  Mr. Angelides has assisted numerous clients in obtaining wills, power of attorney, and living wills.  Mr. Angelides has made numerous visits to clients that are homebound that are blind, wheel chair bound or at the very end stages of life. He always serves clients with the utmost compassion, patience and understanding.  The Pro Bono Project is proud to present Nick Angelides with the Pro Bono Senior Attorney of the Year Award.

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PRO BONO LAW STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Tadd Dietz, S.J. Quinney Law School

Tadd Dietz’s commitment to pro bono is unmistakable.  To date, Tadd has volunteered over 203 hours and is still continuing to serve.  Tadd Dietz has served as a leader to his fellow students and as an advocate for the legally underserved population in Utah.  Whether it is donating his time at law clinics, assisting in pro bono cases or coordinating and training others, Tadd has exemplified the characteristics of a rising star in the pro bono community.  It is with great pride that the Utah State Bar’s Pro Bono Project honors Tadd Dietz with the Pro Bono Law Student of the Year Award.

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Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year

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