Firm Celebrates Connecting Passion with Action at 2024 Pro Bono Annual Event

Ropes & Gray celebrated the pro bono achievements of attorneys and support team members at the firm’s 21st annual global pro bono event on June 26. The following individuals and teams were honored at the ceremony for their efforts on behalf of many pro bono clients in 2023—a year in which the firm dedicated more than 135,000 hours to pro bono projects.

Outstanding Pro Bono Contributions in Asia

Associate Catherine Ho was honored for working with global LGBTQ+ business platform Out Leadership on a resource for CEOs, and for supporting Kids in Need of Defense on applications for special immigration status.

Deborah Levi Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service

Associate Becca Williams was recognized for significant contributions to a team fighting discriminatory foster care practices in Washington, D.C., alongside DC KinCare Alliance, and for supporting the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association in developing a training program.

Outstanding Pro Bono Contribution in London

Counsel Paola Bahari won an award for her advocacy on behalf of an Afghan citizen and his family over three years as they sought to move the UK after the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021. She helped secure relocation through the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy scheme.

Outstanding Pro Bono Contribution – Partner Award

Partner Mark Barnes was recognized for his long and distinguished history of public service. Mark directed HIV/AIDS treatment programs in Nigeria, Tanzania and Botswana and co-founded two nonprofits focused on improving global clinical trials: Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard, and Vivli.

Outstanding Pro Bono Team

A firm team worked alongside Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) to support unhoused families in a class-action litigation against the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The team negotiated a settlement that included sweeping reforms to the emergency assistance shelter system.

The team included Rory Brown, Dalton Busch, Katy Caldwell, Mark Callahan, Jesse Coulon, Elena Davis, Greg Demers, Marc Duffy, Meredith Foor, Jordan Goldstein, Jesse Gonzalez, Joanne Hyun, Dave Kolpin, Cassie Lagana, Anne Johnson Palmer, Matt Schryver, Kim Sweet, Renee Whyte and Sydney Yazzolino.

Terry Iandiorio Pro Bono Leadership Award

Partner Jen Harris was honored for guiding the firm’s work with Public International Law & Policy Group, a global pro bono law firm that advises on peace negotiations, post-conflict constitution drafting, transitional justice processes and war crimes prosecution. To date, we have taken on 15 different research projects for PILPG globally.

Outstanding Pro Bono Contribution – Retired Partner Award

Retired partner Bill Sussman was recognized for many lasting pro bono contributions over his career. Bill was instrumental in the firm’s high-profile Rikers Island litigation and, most recently, has been working with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to help incarcerated individuals eliminate barriers to voting.