Venable received the "Trailblazer" award at the Maryland Legal Aid Equal Justice Council's 11th Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast, held May 22, 2008.
The Maryland Legal Aid Bureau is a private, nonprofit, multi-funded law firm providing free legal services to low-income persons in Baltimore City and across Maryland. The Equal Justice Council promotes equal justice by increasing and diversifying the Legal Aid Bureau's resources, serving as its advocates and ambassadors and educating the public about Legal Aid's programs.
The Legal Aid Bureau is grateful for the strong financial support from The Venable Foundation and is equally appreciative of the guidance and advocacy of former Legal Aid Bureau member Benjamin R. Civiletti and current Equal Justice Council member James L. Shea.
Venable attorneys in attendance at the awards ceremony include Sarah H. B. Kahl, Mitchell Y. Mirviss, Christopher T. La Testa and Gerard Treanor, who accepted the award on behalf of Venable.
Venable was honored as a "Trailblazer" in 2003. In 2005 and 2006, Venable was awarded the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau's Equal Justice Council Pacesetter Award.
Venable attorneys devoted more than 23,533 hours to pro bono services in 2007.