Quarles & Brady Partner Named Attorney of the Year by Legal Aid Service of Collier County

Naples — The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that Partner Otto Immel, who leads the firm's Labor & Employment practice in Florida, has been named Attorney of the Year by Legal Aid Service of Collier County.

"I was totally surprised to receive this honor," Immel says of the award. "I have been a management-side employment lawyer for more than 25 years and the nature of my practice is not conducive to being visibly active with legal aid matters."

Immel has provided pro bono service to Legal Aid’s management team and Board of Directors for the last three years, including advice regarding policies, procedures, and related guidance.  His services significantly helped Legal Aid to make gains in organizational efficiency and structural streamlining, ultimately translating into greater capacity to serve more clients in need through their program.

"Otto’s pro bono service to Legal Aid was invaluable as it helped us to improve and make our program stronger," says Carol O'Callaghan, Managing Attorney of Legal Aid Service. "Otto is a true professional, and was always so generous with his time and responsive to every call we made seeking his help.  Beyond the many gains we made as a result of his guidance and advice, Otto is so pleasant and positive and it has truly been a pleasure to work with him."

Immel received the honor Thursday evening at the 2019 Barrister's Bash fundraising event, which celebrates and honors attorneys and volunteers who have demonstrated leadership in assisting the underprivileged to acquire legal justice.  Candidates for the Attorney of the Year award are proposed by Legal Aid based upon significant contributions to the organization; the winner is voted on and approved by its Advisory Board members.

All proceeds from the Barrister's Bash event support Legal Aid Service of Collier County's mission to provide free, high-quality civil legal service to the poor in Collier County.