Pro Bono Service Awards Presented by Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie

Press Release

PHOENIX – Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP held its annual John P. Frank Pro Bono Awards luncheon today, recognizing 52 individuals for providing more than 6700 hours of pro bono legal service.

Melanie Pate of the firm’s Phoenix office received the John P. Frank Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award. Pate, who contributed more than 200 total pro bono hours in 2015, is a partner in the firm's Litigation practice group.

In working on multiple pro bono cases, Pate’s primary focus has been representing victims of domestic violence in cases involving family law issues, such as custody disputes and child support, as well as orders of protection. She has handled cases referred by the Volunteer Lawyers Program through its partnership with the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute (with which Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie is also a partner).

Pate has spent countless hours as an advocate for victims of domestic violence in these proceedings to allow them to navigate the court system and to effectively enforce their rights. Prior to private practice, she spent 15 years working in the Arizona Attorney General's Office, including several years in the Civil Rights Division, and has been recognized by State Bar of Arizona for her commitment to pro bono service.

“Pro bono service is an important part of our past, present and future. We as a firm support those who provide the time and energy to do this important work. I want to extend a special thanks to every member of the firm who contributes to our pro bono efforts,” said Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Managing Partner Kenneth Van Winkle Jr.

The John P. Frank Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award honors the late John P. Frank of legacy firm Lewis and Roca, an attorney and constitutional scholar best known for his pro bono representation of Ernesto Miranda before the U.S. Supreme Court which led to the landmark ruling in 1966.

Inscribed on the award are the following words: “John P. Frank’s lifelong quest to improve the law and secure equal justice for all regardless of gender, race, creed or class exemplifies the standard of excellence and professional responsibility all lawyers should strive to attain.”

“Service to the community through pro bono representation is an important part of our firm’s heritage, as illustrated by the examples set by the late John P. Frank. We appreciate each individual’s commitment to assist those who otherwise would not have access to legal resources,” said Pro Bono Committee Chair Dan Waite.

Individuals listed below, and the Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie office in which they practice, were recognized for providing a minimum 50 hours of pro bono service in 2015:

Albuquerque

• Jeffrey Albright

• Jessica Nance

Colorado Springs

• Nicholas Dyer

• Eric Hall

Denver

• Nathaniel Barker

• Fred Baumann

• Chad Caby

• Dick Clark

• Mark Davidson

• Charles Goldberg

• John Michael Guevara

• Stephen Johnson

• Hermine Kallman

• Brian Spano

• Doug Tumminello

• James Walker

• Amy Wills

Las Vegas

• Brian Blakley

• John Bragonje

• Tony Cabot

• Howard Cole

• Joel Henriod

• Chris Jorgensen

• Dale Kotchka-Alanes

• Matthew Park

• Karl Rutledge

• Abraham Smith

• Dan Waite

• Cayla Witty

• Meng Zhong

Phoenix

• Nicholas Bauman

• Steve Bressler

• Tom Campbell

• Sam Chang

• Kim Demarchi

• Scott DeWald

• Matt Engle

• Susan Freeman

• Rich Goldsmith

• Greg Harris

• Marla Hudgens

• Steve Hulsman

• David Jackson

• Rachel Nicholas

• Melanie Pate

• Heidi Short

• Frances Sjoberg

• Nicole True

• Kenneth Van Winkle Jr.

Reno

• Alfredo Alonso

Tucson

• Rob Charles

• John Hinderaker

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