We are excited to announce the winners of our Pro Bono Awards for 2020.
ELAP’s annual Pro Bono Awards presentation recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to our community’s legal needs. Our winners include attorneys, firms, community partners, and individual justice champions. Typically held in-person, in 2020, we presented our awards in a virtual ceremony.
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
Vicente Omar Barraza of Barraza Law has been a consistent supporter of ELAP for many years, volunteering in our immigration legal clinics and conducting Know Your Rights Sessions. During COVID, Omar has stepped up even more so, by doing webinars in Spanish for Spanish-speaking participants. He is always available for questions, and his flexibility and dedication to the work is consistent and never-wavering.
Law Firm Partner of the Year
Mary Sakaguchi and Kristilyn Reese of Sakaguchi Felbeck & Reese have been volunteers in ELAP family law clinics for year. They are always available to take a pro bono client referral or be a resource for the staff. Their firm-wide commitment to pro bono service, ELAP and the clients is deserving of recognition.
Community Partner of the Year
St. Matthews Lutheran Church has been a partner in providing services to the community for several years. When ELAP needed a base in SE King County they offered to set up a satellite office, they also provide space for a monthly legal clinic and a community gathering space for workshops and refer clients to ELAP to receive services, even during a pandemic.
Volunteer of the Year
Cyndi Partin of Battleborn Investigations is a private investigator and process server that continuously offers her services to ELAP clients for free to help them achieve independence and safety.