Venable partner Larry Roberts and associates Melissa Fukushima and Joshua Cumby were honored with the 2017 Benjamin R. Civiletti Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award, which was established to recognize and honor the spirit of public service as demonstrated by Benjamin Civiletti, Chairman Emeritus of Venable, throughout his career. The individuals chosen to receive this award have demonstrated a true commitment to public service through their pro bono efforts.
Venable has a longstanding commitment to pro bono representation and public service. Since the firm's founding over 100 years ago, Venable attorneys have been leaders in providing legal services to the community's disadvantaged. Working with national, state and local bar organizations, as well as with nonprofit providers of legal services, Venable has been in the forefront of efforts to serve those in need of legal representation. Each year the firm handles hundreds of pro bono matters covering a broad range of issues, such as child welfare, civil rights and civil liberties, court-appointed cases, education outreach, the environment, and historic preservation.