Columbia associate Kristen Horne will be honored March 11 by the S.C. Bar as a 2009 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year. The award recognizes lawyers for their contributions to meeting the civil legal needs of citizens who cannot afford the services of an attorney.

Ms. Horne serves as chair of the Richland County Bar's Public Service Committee and has been actively involved in the H.E.L.P. Project, which provides legal assistance to the homeless. Ms. Horne coordinates legal volunteers and performs outreach to organizations with clients who can benefit from the project. She also meets with clients on a rotating basis with other volunteers.

Project H.E.L.P was begun in New Orleans and has grown dramatically to other cities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"Nelson Mullins is very proud of Kristen and this recognition from the SC Bar," said Managing Partner David Dukes. "Project H.E.L.P. had its genesis in 2007 in South Carolina when (Nelson Mullins Pro Bono Coordinator) Norah Rogers and (Columbia partner) Stuart Andrews reached out to Louisiana U.S. District Court Judge Jay Zainey, who originally created Project H.E.L.P. and has taken this project nationwide. Kristen has been involved in this project for almost two years, and due to her efforts and the efforts of all Project H.E.L.P. pro bono volunteers, many homeless people in the Columbia area have received pro bono assistance."

In Columbia, Project H.E.L.P. offers monthly morning clinics that provide basic information about access to government benefits, identification documentation, housing, child custody, and other common legal issues affecting the homeless. Area programs serving the homeless encourage individuals with identified legal needs to participate in the clinic. Project H.E.L.P’s host is Catholic Charities of the Midlands.

Ms. Horne practices in business litigation. Before joining the Firm, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana and Morocco, working with communities to improve maternal and child health care, nutrition, and access to immunizations and clean drinking water.

Nelson Mullins has received the S.C. Bar Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year award three times: 1992, 1998, and 2001. Ms. Horne is the seventh Nelson Mullins attorney to receive the S.C. Bar Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award.

The South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Award is presented annually to a lawyer(s) who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged. These services are of critical importance to ensure that representation is provided to needy individuals and families in need of free civil legal assistance. By honoring those who have shown leadership in the delivery of legal services to the poor, the Bar encourages others to volunteer in their communities.

-###-

Logo Downloads