The Awards Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation has chosen the winner of the Citizens Bank Pro Bono Award for 2008 to be presented at the 30th Anniversary Andrew Hamilton Gala on November 1, 2008. The recipient of this prestigious award is the PECO Legal Department for demonstrating outstanding volunteer efforts in providing legal services to those in need. PECO is the first corporate legal department to receive the Award.
As the winner of the Citizens Bank Pro Bono award, the PECO Legal Department has not only shown excellence in its own pro bono efforts, it has “pioneered the concept of partnering with law firms to expand pro bono services and as a result, an ethos of public service is more firmly embedded in the culture of Philadelphia,” as Kenneth M. Kulak, a partner at Morgan Lewis, stated in his letter of support for the nomination. Morgan Lewis has joined PECO and other Philadelphia law firms in providing advance health care planning clinics with the SeniorLaw Center including one for Hispanic senior citizens. PECO attorneys also partner with Pepper Hamilton and Philadelphia VIP to staff Pepper’s “Tangled Title” practice group to work with low-income residents in need of legal help with impediments to the titles to their homes, thus enabling them to remain homeowners which adds to the health and stability of their communities.
PECO attorneys separately account for their community service and pro bono activities and have their performance reviewed semi-annually. Likewise, PECO Legal requires semi-annual reports of its law firms on their pro bono activities. During the course of any year, PECO Lawyers participate in Philadelphia VIP’s Corporate Pro Bono Day, Homeless Advocacy Project’s legal clinics and its own “All Hands Day” event which replaces 3 hours of departmental meetings with 3 hours of either community service or pro bono legal clinic service.
Christopher W. Ritchie, Senior Vice President of Citizens Bank and a Trustee of the Bar Foundation is proud of his company’s support of the pro bono efforts in Philadelphia. “At Citizens Bank, we believe that good companies make a profit, but great companies make a difference. The PECO Legal Department is making a significant difference in our community, and we are proud to recognize their hard work.”
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is pleased to be able to recognize the extraordinary work that is being accomplished in the legal community to help those most in need.