Fulbright to Receive Longevity of Service Award

Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.'s exemplary service to the community resulted in the Houston Bar Foundation's awarding its Longevity of Exemplary Service Award today to the international law firm.
The award that typically goes to an individual went this year to Fulbright for the firm's continued commitment to the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program. Fulbright is the first law firm to receive the award. The Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program sets out to help those with low incomes who may not qualify for other legal aid or assistance.
"This marks the sixth year in a row Fulbright has received an award from the Houston Bar Foundation for contributions to the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program," said Tracie Renfroe, chair of the Houston Bar Foundation. "While we typically give this award to an individual, Fulbright has devoted itself to this cause through endless hours of pro bono work and a dedication to doing all it can to help the community."
Fulbright attorneys completed an average of more than 60 hours each of pro bono work in 2005 and 2006. When attorneys at the firm give back to the communities in which they work, Fulbright becomes an even better law firm, said Steven B. Pfeiffer, chair of Fulbright's Executive Committee.
"Since its founding in 1919, Fulbright has been committed to improving the communities in which we practice law, as well as the lives of our fellow citizens who are not as fortunate as we, Pfeiffer said. "We have always been leaders in the area of pro bono work - leaders in the level of contributions we make, and leaders in creating programs to provide legal services for those who cannot afford such representation. Fulbright is committed to continuing this leadership."
Among the notable pro bono cases Fulbright has handled through its relationship with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program is the recent successful defense of a Nigerian woman's possession of her U.S.-born daughter. The girl's father filed a Hague Convention petition requesting the girl be returned to him in Belgium. Such Hague Convention petitions set out to secure international cooperation when it comes to returning a child wrongfully taken by a parent from one country to another.
The mother, who claimed her ex-husband was abusive, had immigrated legally to the U.S. with her daughter in 2002. With Fulbright's help, the mother successfully fought the claims in the Hague Convention petition. A federal judge cleared the way for the 6-year-old to remain enrolled in school and with her mother in the United States.
"The ability to help clients who may not otherwise be able to afford legal advice that so greatly impacts their lives underscores the importance of our pro bono work," said Stewart Gagnon, who oversees Fulbright's pro bono efforts. "Our attorneys pour themselves into each and every pro bono case our firm handles and we are always touched and come away as better attorneys as a result of those we assist."
In addition to its assistance with individual cases, Fulbright contributes to the community through attorney loan programs the firm has established in a majority of its domestic offices. Through the loan programs, in cities, such as New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Dallas, San Antonio, Minneapolis, Houston and Austin, Fulbright's young lawyers attain courtroom experience prosecuting and defending cases. The cities and other governmental entities involved in the program acquire free assistance as they work to quell their swelling caseloads.
Fulbright also has a pro bono initiative to assist immigrant and refugee children who enter the U.S. alone and then attempt to negotiate the immigration courts without representation. No immigrant or refugee has a right to counsel, not even a child. The firm is making significant in-roads in its endeavor to provide representation and other legal assistance to unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children.
"A commitment to pro bono work is one of our core values, "said Stephen C. Dillard, chair of Fulbright's worldwide litigation department. "Our pro bono commitment reveals a great deal about our firm's culture and our commitment to improving the lives of our fellow citizens in the communities where we practice law."
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Founded in 1919, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. is a leading full-service international law firm, with more than 1,000 lawyers in 16 locations in Houston, New York, Washington, D.C., Austin, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Antonio, St. Louis, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Munich and Riyadh. Fulbright provides a full range of legal services to both domestic and foreign clients worldwide.
The 2007 BTI survey of FORTUNE 1000 general counsel chose Fulbright as "The BTI Client Service 30" A-Team and Corporate Board Member magazine named Fulbright among the top 20 corporate law firms in the U.S. in their survey of board members of public companies.

For more information, please visit: www.fulbright.com.