PATTERSON BELKNAP AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business
Euromoney / Institutional Investor's Benchmark Survey
Law360 IP Firm of the Year
IP World's World Leaders International IP Award for Private Practice Trademark Excellence/Litigation
National Law Journal's Midsize Hot ListBest Lawyers in America® 2010The American Lawyer “A-List”
Legal Media Group's Experts Guide to The Best of the Best Practitioners Worldwide
The American Lawyer's National 2009 Midlevel Associate SurveyVault’s Best Places to Work
PRO BONO RECOGNITION
The Legal Aid Society's Pro Bono Publico Award
New York Theological Seminary's "Urban Angel" AwardThe American Lawyer Pro Bono Survey
New York State Bar Association
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
MFY Legal Services, Inc.
Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2010
We are pleased to announce that
Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2010 has named five of our practice areas and eight of our partners to its lists of law firm leaders. In addition to several partners and practice groups rising among the ranks, the firm’s false advertising litigation practice is included in the top tier nationally.
Chambers rankings are based on extensive research and interviews with peers and clients around the country. The qualities assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by the client. The following firm practices were ranked:
In addition, the following partners were ranked as leading lawyers in their fields:
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Robert P. LoBue in Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Copyright Litigation - New York and in Media & Entertainment: Copyright & Contract Disputes - New York
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Saul B. Shapiro in Media & Entertainment: Copyright & Contract Disputes - New York
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Comments regarding the firm from the Chambers 2010 guide included:
ADVERTISING LITIGATION - NATIONWIDE
The Firm: This New York-based firm is renowned for having one of the best false advertising litigation teams in the country and is a leader in trademark, copyright and media disputes. It has a near-unparalleled reputation for excellence in 43(a) work and its impressive roster of clients includes Atari, Hasbro, Time Warner and Coca-Cola. The team secured a major victory on behalf of the latter in a false advertising suit brought by rival PepsiCo relating to the Powerade ION4 sports drink.
Sources Say: "
One of the best false advertising practices around." "The team has significant legal expertise and critical litigation skills. It is comfortable and successful in the courtroom."
Key Individuals: Steven Zalesin chairs the firm's litigation department. He is held in high esteem for his
“exceptional courtroom skills and is vigilant in protecting the long-term interests of his clients."
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITIGATION: PATENT, TRADEMARK & COPYRIGHT - NEW YORK
The Firm: IP litigation is a major focus for this distinguished New York firm. The talented trial attorneys in the group have expertise that encompasses patent, trademark, copyright and trade dress disputes. The firm has expanded recently, with the addition of an anticounterfeiting practice group. Among the cases handled by the team are those involving medical device, pharmaceutical, electronic, consumer and industrial IP issues. In patent litigation, the team achieved a settlement of $716.3 million for client Cordis against Boston Scientific. On the soft IP side, the group has been representing clients such as Dow Jones, Hasbro and Taco Bell.
Sources Say: "A group that deserves praise; they do things the right way."
Key Individuals: Gregory Diskant is
"a top-flight litigator and one of the smartest people I know," according to one interviewee. He is best known for his patent litigation work and took the lead in the case for Cordis.
Jeffrey Lewis is appreciated for his trial skills, and characterized by sources as
"relaxed, gracious and exceptionally good in court." He focuses on pharmaceutical and chemical-related patent litigation.
Robert LoBue has been engaged by Fleischer Studios to take on an appeal in the Ninth Circuit that contests the validity and the rights to the Betty Boop cartoon character.
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT LITIGATION – NEW YORK
The Firm: This group has an impressive reputation for handling copyright and commercial disputes for industry players such as Cablevision and Dow Jones. The team brought a suit on behalf of Hasbro against Jayant and Rajat Agarwalla and their company RJ Softwares, alleging that the defendants' online game 'Scrabulous' infringed Hasbro's copyright and trademark rights in SCRABBLE.
Sources Say: "We use many firms but Patterson is our first choice for entertainment litigation – the lawyers are incredibly practical and great at constructing a water-tight defense."
Key Individuals: "Astute and highly talented" Saul Shapiro concentrates on commercial and IP disputes and investigations for clients such as Thomson Reuters and The McGraw-Hill Companies. IP litigator
Robert LoBue enters the rankings this year in recognition of his expertise in copyright disputes.
REAL ESTATE – NEW YORK
The Firm: This team impresses with the strength of its leasing practice, which involves acting for both landlords and tenants. In recent times, it has also been focusing more on workouts and restructurings; matters in this vein include its representation of the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Tarragon Corporation bankruptcy case.
Sources Say: "The diligent and respected lawyers in this group pay great attention to detail and are always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done."
Key Individuals: Andrew Herz and
Robert Safron are leading real estate lawyers at the firm. Herz particularly impresses with his strength in commercial office leasing, mortgage financing and workouts. During 2009, he assisted Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe with its 220,000 sq ft office lease at 51 West 52nd Street. Safron's "
deep base of experience and high level of respect among his peers give him a very strong currency in negotiations." He handles a variety of dirt law matters and is highly regarded for leasing work.
Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2009
Patterson Belknap is pleased to announce that
Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2009 has named five of our practice areas and seven of our partners to its lists of law firm leaders. The rankings are based on extensive research and interviews with peers and clients around the country. The qualities assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by the client.
The following firm practices were ranked:
• Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Intellectual Property: Trademark & Copyright – New York
• Media & Entertainment: Advertising (Litigation)- New York
• Media & Entertainment: Entertainment Litigation – New York
• Real Estate: Mainly Dirt – New York
In addition, the following partners were ranked as leading lawyers in their fields:
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Gregory L. Diskant in Intellectual Property: Patent - New York
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Jeffrey I.D. Lewis in Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
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Robert P. LoBue in Intellectual Property: Trademark & Copyright – New York
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Karl E. Seib, Jr. in Products Liability - National
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Saul B. Shapiro in Media & Entertainment: Copyright & Contract Disputes - New York
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Steven A. Zalesin in Media & Entertainment: Advertising (Litigation) - New York
Comments about the firm’s practices included:
Intellectual Property: Patent; Trademark & Copyright
This strong IP litigation firm offers
"great personalized attention," and has an excellent reputation for patent, trademark and copyright work. The patent litigation team is noted for its expertise in the pharmaceutical field, and is well versed in matters related to medical devices. The team's work for Johnson & Johnson is widely known, and it has recently obtained two substantial judgments for the company's cardiac device unit, Cordis, in litigation surrounding a coronary stent device. The firm is also commended for its expertise in false advertising, trademark and copyright litigation; its broad-based caseload includes such highlights as defending Dow Jones' franchise in index-based derivatives trading. The group is also handling an increasing number of cases involving the authenticity of works of art. Patent litigator
Gregory Diskant impresses interviewees with his intellectual approach and talent at trial.
Jeffrey Lewis is another well-regarded member of the patent team, and
Robert LoBue stands out for his efficient and businesslike approach on the trademark and copyright side. The highly respected William Cavanaugh has recently joined the antitrust division of the DOJ.
The Firm: This team of attorneys combines exceptional scientific knowledge with terrific trial skills. While the firm has made an impressive name for itself providing ‘
absolutely terrific counsel’ in false advertising-related trademark proceedings, it receives the most widespread acknowledgement for its performance in high stakes patent litigation. It recently won summary judgment for Cordis in an infringement suit brought by Boston Scientific. Beyond the pharmaceutical and medical device arenas, the firm has considerable experience of disputes within - among others - the telecom, retail and music industries. Clients include Time Warner Cable, Hasbro and Sunbow Productions.
The Lawyers: Gregory Diskant receives approval for his ‘
combination of pure intellect and practical thinking.’ He spearheaded the team for Cordis.
Robert LoBue recently represented King Features in an infringement suit relating to the copyrights of Popeye and Flash Gordon.
Jeffrey Lewis is well regarded by observers, who highlight his proficiency in pharmaceutical and chemical-related IP disputes.”
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Media and Entertainment: Advertising (Litigation)
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A dedicated approach, smart, supportive associates and the quality you'd expect from a larger law firm” make this a popular choice in the market. Having been one of the pioneers of false advertising litigation in the late 1970s, the group has a strong track record in 43(a) litigation and an impressive client base that includes Coca-Cola, Diageo, L’Oréal and Time Warner Cable.
Steven Zalesin, is
“incredibly knowledgeable and amiable” and is "
superb at defending his clients' best interests." The team recently acted for McNeil Nutritionals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in a series of false advertising and trade dress cases involving the sweetener SPLENDA®.
"The Firm: Its ability to offer a ‘
pool of incredibly talented individuals with vast industry knowledge’ gives this top firm ‘
a leading edge’ in the advertising litigation field. The
‘first-rate’ firm is also renowned for representing media, entertainment and advertising industry clients on IP, litigation and corporate matters, as well as on issues regarding libel, false advertising and internal investigations. The firm’s enviable client list includes names such as Diageo; Pfizer Consumer Healthcare; L’Oréal and The Clorox Company.”
The Lawyers:
Steven Zalesin,
is regarded as ‘top-drawer’, and ‘a trustworthy and highly desired advertising litigator.’ Clients praise his ‘superb conduct in front of judges and incredible industry knowledge.’
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Media and Entertainment: Entertainment Litigation This team's prowess in false advertising litigation is well known, but it also enjoys a significant presence in copyright litigation and First Amendment work. Its work spans all areas of the entertainment industry, and its litigation clients include Atari, Harper Collins and Time Warner Cable; Dow Jones & Company has also instructed the team on strategic IP disputes. With more than 20 years' experience, cochair
Saul Shapiro is praised for
"his understanding of the pressures facing clients" and
"his amazingly quick turnaround times." He is regularly instructed on commercial and licensing disputes for media companies and has been advising McGraw-Hill on licensing disputes for its subsidiary, Standard & Poor's.
"The Firm: This firm is known for the quality of its
‘exceptionally high-profile work’ for music companies, radio and television networks, cable operators and production companies. The 14-strong team handles a wide range of commercial issues, including trademark, libel and slander, First Amendment and IP matters. Typical of the litigation cases it handles, the practice represented Time Warner Cable in obtaining a preliminary injunction for the company in the Southern District of New York, enjoining DIRECTV from broadcasting commercials featuring Jessica Simpson and the former cast of Star Trek, and also certain ads from appearing on the Internet.
The Lawyers: The Time Warner case was led by
Saul Shapiro. In addition to dealing with sophisticated disputes in the entertainment business, Shapiro also advises on commercial litigation and media and communication disputes.”
Chambers has also said of Mr. Shapiro,"
[a] highly regarded player, the 'very responsive and creative' Saul Shapiro is admired for his 'depth of experience both in intellectual property issues and in litigation generally.' Clients found that
'he excels in internal investigations and news-gathering issues as well as exercising good judgment so that disputes can be resolved as expeditiously and cost-effectively as possible.'"******
Real Estate: Mainly Dirt
Leasing is undoubtedly the forte of this team, and its considerable expertise in advising landlords and tenants on office leasing has attracted a fine collection of household names to the group. Dow Jones regularly employs the team to handle its leasing and subleasing matters in the USA and abroad, and the lawyers also advise Forest City Ratner on the leasing of The New York Times Building. Owners, developers and a handful of lenders also consult the team.
Andrew Herz is the main contact for the group.
“The Firm: ‘Delivering a quality product at a reasonable price,’ Patterson Belknap’s real estate team inspires ‘
the utmost confidence in its clients. Leasing is widely regarded as the strength of this
‘fair-minded, engaged and cordial’ group, and its proficiency is exemplified by its presence on several of New York’s largest office leasing deals: the lawyers recently assisted the tenant with its lease with Macklowe Properties for 825 Eighth Avenue. The team is equally renowned for its representation of property owners on leasing deals; it has a long-standing relationship with The Durst Organization. Outside of leasing, the group handles real estate finance, sales and acquisitions and development work. William Weisner, Robert Safron and Andrew Herz are key members of the department.”
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Euromoney / Institutional Investor's Benchmark Survey
For the second year in a row, the firm was ranked in Benchmark Litigation's top category, "Highly Recommended" for New York. Greg Diskant, Erik Haas, Jeff Lewis, Bob LoBue, Saul Shapiro, Peter Tomlinson, Steve Younger and Steve Zalesin were all listed as "Local Litigation Stars".
This year we are pleased to announce that the firm moved to the Second Tier of Benchmark's National Rankings for Intellectual Property. Greg Diskant and Jeff Lewis were also listed as National Stars for Intellectual Property.
Comments about the firm have included:
The firm “houses some serious litigation talent. ‘I consider them to be a really useful firm in the tool chest of firms out there,’ one client says. ‘They are one of the best litigating firms in the United States,’ praises another.”
“Peers regard complex commercial litigator Saul Shapiro for his strength in intellectual property matters. With lead counsel work in seven trials to date, he is also experienced in securities and media and entertainment.”
“[Saul] Shapiro along with partner Peter Tomlinson, assisted in the representation of Cendant in litigation against former auditor Ernst & Young. The team successfully defended against Ernst & Young’s motion to dismiss Cendant’s claims and, with billions of dollars at stake, the case was recently settled.”
“Peers describe [Peter] Tomlinson as a ‘terrific lawyer with a bright future.’”
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Law360 IP Firm of the Year
Patterson Belknap was selected as one of six firms nationally to receive Law360’s IP Firms of the Year award. This recognition is attributed in large part to the firm’s representation of Cordis Corp. in its $716 million settlement with Boston Scientific, which is just part of the firm’s wide-ranging patent litigation practice. The firm was also recognized for its trademark and false advertising practices, both of which had much success in 2009. This award comes on the heels of Patterson’s recognition at the World Leaders International IP Awards, where the firm was named the top Trademark Litigation practice and one of the top Patent practices in North America.
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IP World's World Leaders International IP Award for Private Practice Trademark Excellence/Litigation
Patterson Belknap received
IP World's World Leaders International IP Award for Private Practice Trademark Excellence/Litigation (North America/Canada). The firm was also short-listed in the Private Practice Patent Excellence/Litigation
(North America/Canada) and Entertainment & Media Law Team of the Year categories.
IP World, which presented the Award at a ceremony in London, is the publisher of the prestigious industry publications
Trademark World, Patent World and
Copyright World.
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National Law Journal's Midsize Hot List
When the subprime mortgage and credit crises came to a head late last year, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler had a big head start in picking up clients.
In mid-2007, the firm assembled a team of six partners, 10 associates and more recently a senior counsel to help guide clients through the uncertain marketplace. The 190-lawyer firm used the initiative to approach clients in the financial guaranty insurance industry, which Managing partner Robert LoBue said has been hugely successful. The firm represents Ambac Assurance Corp. in a suit against EMC Mortgage Corp. and Syncora Guarantee Inc. in a suit against GreenPoint Mortgage Funding Inc.
From its sole office in New York, Patterson Belknap is also a major player in defending law firms against complex liability claims. In 2008, Patterson Belknap successfully defended Nixon Peabody against allegations that the firm had breached a noncompete agreement and a Bracewell & Giuliani partner against allegations that he had conspired in the theft of a $10 million investment he had been hired to recover. "We take it as a real feather in our cap that that practice is doing well, because law firms are the most sophisticated consumers of legal services," LoBue said.
Building on the firm's success this past year, Patterson Belknap is working hard to hire laterals from big law firms and associates coming out of clerkships.
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Best Lawyers in America® 2010For the third consecutive year, Patterson Belknap's Personal Planning Group has been ranked #1 for Trusts and Estates in New York City and New York State by The Best Lawyers in America®. In addition, 17 attorneys in 13 practice areas were recognized as leaders in their field. Attorneys were selected through peer nominations which were based on more than two million detailed evaluations. The following Patterson Belknap partners were included:
Christopher C. Angell
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Trusts and Estates
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Susan F. Bloom
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Trusts and Estates
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Gregory L. Diskant
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Bet-the-Company Litigation
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Commerical Litigation
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Intellectual Property
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David W. Dykhouse
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Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
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Philip R. Forlenza
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Bet-the-Company Litigation
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Commercial Litigation
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Legal Malpractice Law
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Daniel C. Glazer
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Intellectual Property
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Andrew L. Herz
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Real Estate Law
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Dana Hiscock
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Trusts and Estates
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Rochelle Korman
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Non-Profit/Charities Law
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Ellen M. Martin
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Labor and Employment Law
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Bernard F. O'Hare
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Employee Benefits Law
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Gloria C. Phares
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Appellate Law
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Robert M. Safron
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Real Estate Law
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John P. Sare*
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Trusts and Estates
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Stephen P. Younger
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Alternative Dispute Resolution
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Appellate Law
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Steven A. Zalesin
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Advertising Law
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Listed in Best Lawyers for 10 years.
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Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Real Estate Lawyers
Andy Herz and Robert Safron, partners in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group have been named to the World’s leading Real Estate Lawyers in Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Real Estate Lawyers.
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The American Lawyer “A-List”
Patterson Belknap ranked third on The American Lawyer’s 2008 "A-List" of leading law firms in the United States. The firm is one of just four firms to be in the top 10 every year in which the "A-List" has been published. The "A-List" is based on four criteria: pro bono performance, associate satisfaction, diversity of lawyers and financial performance. The American Lawyer considers the "A-List" firms to be the "top tier of elite firms."
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Legal Media Group's Experts Guide to The Best of the Best Practitioners Worldwide
Andrew L. Herz, a partner in the firm's Real Estate Practice Group, has been named as one of the world's leading real estate attorneys by Legal Media Group's Experts Guide to The Best of the Best 2009. Only 11 U.S. partners from leading international and domestic law firms received this distinction, which is based on a survey of in-house counsel and private practitioners in over 75 countries as well as interviews with leading industry experts.
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The American Lawyer's National 2009 Midlevel Associate Survey
In a survey of nearly 7,300 midlevel associates at 180 participating firms, Patterson Belknap ranked #1 among New York City-based firms and #3 nationally. The survey was based on factors including work satisfaction, benefits and compensation, associate/partner relationships, training and guidance, the firm's pro bono approach, and the likelihood of the associate's remaining at the firm in two years.
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Vault’s Best Places to Work
In 2007 Vault's annual survey of law firm associates ranked Patterson Belknap #1 in New York and #2 nationally as the best place to work. Vault is a widely followed career information company.
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PRO BONO RECOGNITIONThe Legal Aid Society's Pro Bono Publico Award
Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is honored for its exceptional pro bono commitment to The Legal Aid Society and it's clients. The firm has expanded its pro bono commitment by serving as co-counsel on four major class action reform cases in the areas of subsidized housing for low-income tenants, public assistance benefits for low-income families, health and safety concerns of children in residential treatment centers and mental health issues of children in foster care. To read the full article click
here.
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New York Theological Seminary’s “Urban Angel” Award
Patterson Belknap was honored in April 2009 with the New York Theological Seminary’s “Urban Angel” Award for our pro bono work in urban areas. That award is presented annually to selected individuals whom the Theological Seminary considers to have made significant contributions to the health and vitality of urban communities throughout the greater New York area, around the nation, and throughout the world.
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The American Lawyer Pro Bono SurveyPatterson Belknap continues to be ranked in the top 10 of
The American Lawyer's
pro bono survey. We have been in the top 10 since the list's inception in 1999. In 2009, for the sixth consecutive year, 100% of the firm’s attorneys participated in
pro bono projects.
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New York State Bar Association
On April 30, 2007 Patterson Belknap received the New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award for large law firms. A number of public service organizations with whom our lawyers have worked nominated the firm for the award. In the past, six of our attorneys have received this award in their individual capacities.
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New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
Patterson Belknap was presented with the 2007 "Partnering for Justice Award" by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. This is the second time the firm has received this award.
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MFY Legal Services, Inc.
In 2005 Patterson Belknap was honored by MFY Legal Services, Inc. for our pro bono contributions in New York City, through the establishment of a “Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler Fellowship.”
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