The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), a joint alliance of the Dallas Bar Association and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, named Jones Day's Dallas Office the 2009 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, and Jones Day associate, Amanda Childs, as Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year for support of and participation in DVAP's efforts to provide legal services to those in need.

From June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009, Jones Day Dallas donated more than 7,426 pro bono hours of attorneys’ time including over 2,960 hours to DVAP to provide Dallas County residents with free legal services. Childs donated nearly 1,000 pro bono hours, including 790 hours of service to DVAP. Attorneys who serve with DVAP commit to at least three months and are paid by their law firm during that time.

"It is refreshing and encouraging to see a prominent, international law firm devote significant resources to reaching out to those in need," said Alicia Hernandez, director of the DVAP. "Jones Day is a role model for the industry in providing pro bono services."

Through a partnership with the DVAP's "Lend-a-Lawyer" program, Jones Day provides underserved, low-income Dallas-area families with needed legal aid on an ongoing basis. Attorneys work 90-day stints with DVAP while continuing to receive full salary and benefits from their firm. Both Childs and her colleague Sean Whyte have worked full-time for DVAP as participants in the Lend-A-Lawyer program.

During Childs’ pro bono term she handled 27 cases, including a protracted child custody case in which a mother was reunited with her young son. Childs is a founding member of the Jones Day Dallas Associate Pro Bono Committee, and volunteers as a crisis counselor at the Suicide and Crisis Center of Dallas.

"It has been such an amazing experience working with the talented and hard-working people at DVAP," Childs said. "Words cannot express how honored I feel to receive this award."

"We are honored to receive the 2009 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award and proud of our attorneys who are willing to donate their time, effort, and expertise," said George Manning, Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day Dallas. "Programs like DVAP provide a way for us to give back to those in need in our community - we plan to continue this and other outreach efforts."

In addition to pro bono work, Jones Day Dallas serves the community through contributions and sponsorships of a broad range of charitable organizations including United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Family Place, and more.

To learn more about the Firm's commitment to pro bono, please visit the Jones Day Pro Bono web site.