Dorsey & Whitney LLP held its annual Scales of Justice Awards Celebration honoring two partners and five teams of attorneys and business professionals who provided impactful pro bono assistance to those in need.
In 2023, Dorsey provided the equivalent of 3.65% of its billable hours to pro bono work. Dorsey has met the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge at the 3% level every year since signing on as a charter signatory in 1993.
Two Partners Honored
Courtney Ellis, a Public Finance Partner and Missoula Office Pro Bono Lead, and Nathaniel Longley, a Patent Partner, each received a Scales of Justice Award.
Courtney Ellis’s public finance skills have helped the Missoula community with housing projects, land trust work, and youth projects. “Courtney has always been committed to making room for pro bono work in her practice, and she’s been a great leader of the work in her office,” said Alysia Zens, Pro Bono Counsel for Dorsey. “Over her years at the firm, Courtney has contributed over 1,300 hours to pro bono work.”
Nat Longley has become a lead volunteer with the Eastwood Legal Clinic for Teen Parents at the Longfellow High School for parent students in Minneapolis. This clinic was started by late Dorsey Trial Partner Mark Eastwood in 1995. “Nat has a passion for helping young people feel valued, seen, and heard,” said Alysia Zens. “The students and teachers at the school where this legal clinic is held, deeply trust Nat. He works hard to solve their problems and connect them with the resources they need.”
Multiple Projects Recognized
The Afghan Assistance teams, Animals Asia Foundation team, and Conciliation Court Referee team each received a Scales of Justice Award.
Afghan Assistance: Of the five teams that received Scales of Justice Awards, three of them assisted Afghans. Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021, Dorsey lawyers and business professionals have assisted dozens of Afghan families in applications for humanitarian parole and asylum. This work has reunited and found new homes for families in need. Jennifer Block, Bianca Tillman, and Marc Kushner accepted the Scales of Justice award on behalf of their Afghan Assistance teams.
Animals Asia Foundation: This team received an award for its efforts in ending bear bile farming and improving animal welfare across Asia. Since 2006, Dorsey has provided legal assistance on various issues, including intellectual property, employment, corporate, finance, and tax law. Lawyers and business professionals from Asia, London, and the U.S. have supported this work. Janet Wong, Carsten Greve, and Stephen Petchey accepted the Scale of Justice award on behalf of the team.
Conciliation Court Referee Project: In response to the backlog of conciliation court cases during the pandemic shutdowns, Dorsey lawyers were trained and sworn in by the bench to act as referees overseeing conciliation court cases in four Minnesota counties. Commonly known as small claims court, where claims of less than $15,000 are filed, conciliation court is typically used by economically disadvantaged individuals, and a backlog in the court greatly impacts their access to justice. “The project was a success in helping to clear the backlog and has been a very rewarding and helpful arrangement for all those involved,” said Alysia Zens. Peter Lancaster, Amy Weisgram, and Sue Kjelvik accepted the Scale of Justice award on behalf of the team.