Jenner & Block Honors Excellence in Pro Bono Service

Jenner & Block continued its longstanding tradition of recognizing exceptional pro bono service at the firm's 2025 Pro Bono Awards Ceremony, honoring lawyers and professional staff who exemplify the firm's core commitment of expanding access to justice. The recipients represent the breadth of Jenner's pro bono work across all offices and practice areas, demonstrating how dedicated legal service can make meaningful impact. 

Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award 

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

  • Partner April Otterberg for her exceptional pro bono service spanning capital defense representation, reproductive rights issues, and complex lawyer sanctions matters, demonstrating thoughtful and generous leadership that fosters collaborative environments while keeping client’s needs front and center, and embodying the finest traditions of pro bono service.
  • Associate Sophia Cai for contributing over 400 hours of pro bono work in 2024 and for her exceptional legal advocacy, including a Sixth Circuit habeas case involving complex constitutional issues, where the court specifically praised her "excellent" brief in its published opinion.
  • A New York-based team including Associates Kathryn Chang, Alex Ryshina, Navjit Sekhon, Rupali Srivastava, Andrew D. Whinery, and Lulu Zhang for their impactful work with The RISE Court (Reentry through Intensive Supervision and Employment). This special court within the Southern District of New York (SDNY) supports the successful reintegration of individuals on supervised release who are at the highest risk of recidivism. 

Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service 

The winner of the Jenner & Block Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service, established in 2018 to honor professional staff, is Marketing and Business Development Project Coordinator Victoria Bonilla. Victoria consistently provides Spanish interpretation and translation services for the firm’s pro bono practice across complex matters.  

Jenner & Block has earned recognition from The American Lawyer as the top pro bono firm in the United States 12 of the last 15 years. The firm collaborates with legal aid organizations, law school clinics, in-house legal departments, and other organizations committed to expanding access to justice. Through this work, Jenner & Block fulfills its responsibility to support those in need and strengthen communities. Learn more about the firm's pro bono program in the 2024 Heart of the Matter report. 

Related Locations

© 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 Honors Excellence in Pro Bono Service

Jenner & Block continued its longstanding tradition of recognizing exceptional pro bono service at the firm's 2025 Pro Bono Awards Ceremony, honoring lawyers and professional staff who exemplify the firm's core commitment of expanding access to justice. The recipients represent the breadth of Jenner's pro bono work across all offices and practice areas, demonstrating how dedicated legal service can make meaningful impact. 

Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award 

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

  • Partner April Otterberg for her exceptional pro bono service spanning capital defense representation, reproductive rights issues, and complex lawyer sanctions matters, demonstrating thoughtful and generous leadership that fosters collaborative environments while keeping client’s needs front and center, and embodying the finest traditions of pro bono service.
  • Associate Sophia Cai for contributing over 400 hours of pro bono work in 2024 and for her exceptional legal advocacy, including a Sixth Circuit habeas case involving complex constitutional issues, where the court specifically praised her "excellent" brief in its published opinion.
  • A New York-based team including Associates Kathryn Chang, Alex Ryshina, Navjit Sekhon, Rupali Srivastava, Andrew D. Whinery, and Lulu Zhang for their impactful work with The RISE Court (Reentry through Intensive Supervision and Employment). This special court within the Southern District of New York (SDNY) supports the successful reintegration of individuals on supervised release who are at the highest risk of recidivism. 

Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service 

The winner of the Jenner & Block Award for Excellence in Pro Bono or Public Service, established in 2018 to honor professional staff, is Marketing and Business Development Project Coordinator Victoria Bonilla. Victoria consistently provides Spanish interpretation and translation services for the firm’s pro bono practice across complex matters.  

Jenner & Block has earned recognition from The American Lawyer as the top pro bono firm in the United States 12 of the last 15 years. The firm collaborates with legal aid organizations, law school clinics, in-house legal departments, and other organizations committed to expanding access to justice. Through this work, Jenner & Block fulfills its responsibility to support those in need and strengthen communities. Learn more about the firm's pro bono program in the 2024 Heart of the Matter report. 

Related Locations

© 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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