Quarles Honors Recipients of 10th Annual Pro Bono Awards
October 21, 2024 (Milwaukee) – The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced today the recipients of the firm’s 10th annual Gonring Pro Bono Awards. The firm is donating $1,000 on behalf of each recipient to the nonprofit organization of their choice.
The award, given each year in conjunction with National Pro Bono Week, recognizes Quarles personnel who have demonstrated dedication to the development and delivery of legal services through one or more pro bono projects during a fiscal year. It is named for Michael Gonring, the firm’s long-time former national pro bono partner.
The 2024 recipients are:
- Ellen Anderson and Lillie Mobley for their work on behalf of two families who sued the U.S. government under the Federal Tort Claims Act. For more than two years, Anderson and Mobley — supported by Claire Afable, Alexis Barkis, Neena Burns, Dawn Caldart, Michael DeLeers and Melanie Kalmanson — led each family through the complex world of securing government settlements for children. Each settlement resulted in life-changing resolutions for these parents and their children. Their donation is going to Kids Matter Inc., an organization committed to helping abused and neglected children heal and thrive.
- Greg Everts has been deeply committed to pro bono service throughout his career, handling matters such as Seventh Circuit criminal appeals, domestic violence restraining orders, Clemency Project petitions and criminal sentencing guidelines. Most recently, working with the ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation, Everts has led a team of Quarles attorneys on a lawsuit that seeks to require the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to establish an in-prison nursery program, allowing mothers with children under the age of one to care for these infants rather than be separated. Simpson Street Free Press, a platform where students produce and publish content on various media platform, will receive his donation.
- Fred Gants for his leadership as chair of one of the three working committees supporting the firm's partnership with Legal Services Corporation on the Rural Justice Task Force; his representation of an Afghan refugee seeking asylum status; his representation of two clients submitting pardon applications to the Wisconsin Pardon Board; and his guidance to several nonprofits on personnel matters. The donation in his honor will go to Legal Action of Wisconsin.
- Peter Klepacz played a key role in a case in which a Chicago woman was being sued by a former partner in her restaurant. Peter initially became involved in the case — Christopher Gay, Steven Hunter, Emily Plakon and former Quarles attorney Pete Gonzales also played pivotal roles — because both the firm's client and the plaintiff primarily speak Polish, Klepacz’s first language. Ultimately, the firm was able to secure a settlement for the client that was less than what the plaintiff was offered at the pre-trial settlement conference, sparing her from having to close the restaurant and file for bankruptcy. The donation on behalf of Peter is going to Milwaukee Rescue Mission.
“We have a deep and long-standing focus on giving back to our communities through pro bono service,” said Mike Aldana, firm managing partner and chair of the Executive Committee. “Pro bono is an important way we can help bridge the significant justice gap in our country, and we are proud to honor Ellen, Lillie, Greg, Fred and Peter for the leadership they’ve demonstrated in making a tangible difference for those in need.”