Firm Receives 2023 Pro Bono Service Award from Hartford Legal Aid Society

HARTFORD, CT — November 7, 2023 — Oak, Elm & Birch LLP was honored at the Hartford Legal Aid Society's annual pro bono reception on November 2, receiving the organization's 2023 Firm Pro Bono Service Award. Attorneys at the firm contributed more than 1,400 volunteer hours to Legal Aid matters between October 2022 and September 2023, representing low-income Hartford-area clients in housing, family, and consumer-protection cases.

Junior associate Ash Ketchum was recognized individually as Outstanding Young Lawyer Volunteer of the Year for his work on a pair of eviction-defense trials and a consumer-fraud matter against a predatory auto-finance company. Senior Associate Roxanne Patterson and Associate Claire Park were also cited for taking on federal civil-rights matters on referral from Legal Aid's Impact Litigation unit.

"Pro bono work is not a side project at this firm — it is the first thing a new associate gets assigned, and it is how they learn to run a case," said Lance Harrington, Deputy Managing Partner and Litigation Chair. "Ash, Roxanne, and Claire have all done serious work this year, and the recognition from Legal Aid means a great deal to them and to the firm."

The Hartford Legal Aid Society has provided civil legal services to Hartford-area residents since 1919.