Jenner & Block Celebrates Commitment to Pro Bono with Annual Awards

JUNE 22, 2023 – Jenner & Block carried on its annual tradition of honoring lawyers and business professionals for exemplary pro bono service—a core value of the firm—at its 2023 Jenner & Block Pro Bono Awards Ceremony. This year, the firm established a new award to honor the legacy of Tom Sullivan by honoring a lawyer with a career-long dedication to service, leadership, and mentorship.

The Tom Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Pro Bono Award honors the legacy of Partner Tom Sullivan, who in the 1950s helped the firm launch what has since grown into a nationally recognized pro bono program. Sadly, Tom passed away in 2021 at age 91. One of Tom’s protégés was Jeff Colman, who received the inaugural award today. Jeff started his career at Jenner & Block in 1975 and is now Of Counsel. Jeff’s 48-year career has been highlighted not only by his advocacy for pro bono clients throughout the world but also his mentorship of firm lawyers. “All who knew Tom would quickly agree that Jeff Colman was his closest and constant protégé –and for good reason. It is apparent to those who worked with Tom, that if we were able to ask Tom to identify the one Jenner & Block attorney most deserving of receiving the inaugural Tom Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Award in pro bono work, he would unequivocally identify Jeff Colman,” wrote one nominator, adding: “And rightfully so.”

In addition, Jenner & Block honored the winners of the Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award and The Jenner & Block Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service.

The Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award was established in 2002 to recognize firm lawyers who demonstrated an exceptional commitment to providing pro bono legal services. This year, the award was given to both an individual lawyer and a team.

  • Staff Attorney Michael DeMar was awarded for his dedication in helping several asylum and immigration clients achieve their dreams in 2022.
  • A London-based team, led by Special Counsel Lucy Blake and including Special Counsel Michaela Croft, Associates Karam Jardaneh, Johnny Robb, and Sol Gelsomino; Paralegals Nadia Adou and Neha Patel; and Legal Secretary Lee-Ann Drotsky, were also awarded. Since 2021, this team relentlessly advocated for a high-ranking woman Afghan judge and her son to resettle in the United Kingdom after fleeing the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

The Jenner & Block Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service was given to Trademark Specialist Carole Duran for her “tireless” work helping pro bono clients, including nonprofits and indigent individuals, apply for and maintain their trademarks. In the past year alone, she assisted more than 20 prestigious organizations.

Jenner & Block has been recognized by The American Lawyer as the top pro bono firm in the United States 10 of the past 14 years. We partner with dedicated legal aid organizations, law school clinics, in-house legal departments, and others committed to providing access to justice and serving the public good. As advocates for equity, we embrace our responsibility to serve those in need, better our communities, and protect our future. To learn more about our pro bono program, visit jenner.com/pro-bono.

 

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Jenner & Block Celebrates Commitment to Pro Bono with Annual Awards

JUNE 22, 2023 – Jenner & Block carried on its annual tradition of honoring lawyers and business professionals for exemplary pro bono service—a core value of the firm—at its 2023 Jenner & Block Pro Bono Awards Ceremony. This year, the firm established a new award to honor the legacy of Tom Sullivan by honoring a lawyer with a career-long dedication to service, leadership, and mentorship.

The Tom Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Pro Bono Award honors the legacy of Partner Tom Sullivan, who in the 1950s helped the firm launch what has since grown into a nationally recognized pro bono program. Sadly, Tom passed away in 2021 at age 91. One of Tom’s protégés was Jeff Colman, who received the inaugural award today. Jeff started his career at Jenner & Block in 1975 and is now Of Counsel. Jeff’s 48-year career has been highlighted not only by his advocacy for pro bono clients throughout the world but also his mentorship of firm lawyers. “All who knew Tom would quickly agree that Jeff Colman was his closest and constant protégé –and for good reason. It is apparent to those who worked with Tom, that if we were able to ask Tom to identify the one Jenner & Block attorney most deserving of receiving the inaugural Tom Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Award in pro bono work, he would unequivocally identify Jeff Colman,” wrote one nominator, adding: “And rightfully so.”

In addition, Jenner & Block honored the winners of the Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award and The Jenner & Block Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service.

The Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award was established in 2002 to recognize firm lawyers who demonstrated an exceptional commitment to providing pro bono legal services. This year, the award was given to both an individual lawyer and a team.

  • Staff Attorney Michael DeMar was awarded for his dedication in helping several asylum and immigration clients achieve their dreams in 2022.
  • A London-based team, led by Special Counsel Lucy Blake and including Special Counsel Michaela Croft, Associates Karam Jardaneh, Johnny Robb, and Sol Gelsomino; Paralegals Nadia Adou and Neha Patel; and Legal Secretary Lee-Ann Drotsky, were also awarded. Since 2021, this team relentlessly advocated for a high-ranking woman Afghan judge and her son to resettle in the United Kingdom after fleeing the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

The Jenner & Block Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service was given to Trademark Specialist Carole Duran for her “tireless” work helping pro bono clients, including nonprofits and indigent individuals, apply for and maintain their trademarks. In the past year alone, she assisted more than 20 prestigious organizations.

Jenner & Block has been recognized by The American Lawyer as the top pro bono firm in the United States 10 of the past 14 years. We partner with dedicated legal aid organizations, law school clinics, in-house legal departments, and others committed to providing access to justice and serving the public good. As advocates for equity, we embrace our responsibility to serve those in need, better our communities, and protect our future. To learn more about our pro bono program, visit jenner.com/pro-bono.

 

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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