Press Releases
Nelson Mullins Bestows Pro Bono Honors
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Nov. 17, 2009) -- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough has recognized three associates with its 2008 Claude M. Scarborough Pro Bono Awards, and two paralegals and a nurse consultant have been honored with the 2008 E.W. Mullins, Sr. Paralegal Pro Bono Awards.
In Atlanta:
Atlanta associate Sarah Whalin received a 2008 Claude M. Scarborough Pro Bono Award for her work on a habeas corpus case involving a 19-year-old who accidentally shot and killed his brother in a tragic hunting accident. Ms. Whalin assisted in filing a petition for habeas corpus. After a hearing in August 2008, relief from his mandatory life sentence was granted.
The Firm recognized Atlanta nurse consultant Shirley Smith with a 2008 E.W. Mullins, Sr. Paralegal Pro Bono Award for her work with the Wills for Heroes program. She is also involved with the nonprofit group Crossroads Ministries, a soup kitchen for homeless people. Crossroads Ministries receives federal funding by the number of clients they serve, and in order to track the information, Ms. Smith inputs data into a databank, freeing up volunteers to assist with other needs. She also participated in a collection drive to stock Crossroads' pantry and clothes closet.
In Columbia:
Columbia associate Paul Collins received a 2008 Claude M. Scarborough Pro Bono Award for his civil rights work. He handled a case involving excessive force during an arrest where the officer turned a police dog on a client, who was bitten as he tried to surrender. In a second case, Mr. Collins represented a client in a false arrest case. A third case he assisted on involved a Russian woman in a divorce matter with an abusive American husband.
The Firm also recognized Columbia paralegal Kevin Werner with a 2008 E.W. Mullins, Sr. Paralegal Pro Bono Award for the case involving the client bitten by a police dog. The case involved a great deal of discovery, numerous depositions, disputes, and pre-trial disclosures. A skilled litigation paralegal, Mr. Werner guided the document process and prepared the attorneys for trial.
In Greenville:
Greenville associate Stefania Bondurant received a 2008 Claude M. Scarborough Pro Bono Award. She was instrumental in a case involving the rescue of an abducted 2-year-old. The child was reunited with her mother after unprecedented cooperation from Ecuador.
In Myrtle Beach:
Myrtle Beach paralegal Yvonne Koerner received a 2008 E.W. Mullins, Sr. Paralegal Pro Bono Award. Ms. Koerner was recognized for her work on Habitat for Humanity loan file closings. Ms. Koerner has worked with Habitat for several years providing legal support to the organization.
The Scarborough Awards are named for Claude M. Scarborough Jr., Nelson Mullins chair emeritus. The award, given since 1991, honors Nelson Mullins attorneys who have made a special commitment to pro bono service. The Mullins awards are named for Ed Mullins Sr., a former senior partner at Nelson Mullins, and honor paralegals who exemplify the Firm's commitment to pro bono service.
Nelson Mullins, established in 1897, has more than 400 attorneys practicing from offices in Atlanta, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh, Tallahassee, Washington, and Winston-Salem. For more information on the Firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com, or call 803.255.9794.
