2010 Pro Bono Award Winners

Winners of the 28th Judicial District Bar's 2010 Pro Bono Awards included Cynthia Alleman, Brian Gulden, and the firm of Broker & Hamrick, P.A.

At a moving presentation at the April 14 Bar Luncheon, Christie Johnson, a client of Leah Broker's, spoke of the difference Ms. Broker's work had made in her life. "I was truly devastated, and I was just a name on a piece of paper waiting for someone to care," said Ms. Johnson, who lost her leg to a blood clot then was denied disability and Medicaid. "This wonderful woman helped me without expecting anything in return."

Cynthia Alleman, who maintains a solo practice in Asheville, has contributed 245 pro bono hours, primarily on guardianship cases, since joining MAVL in 1994.  Alleman explains that her motivation to provide free legal help stems from growing up in poverty and understanding firsthand the challenges faced by PLS’ low-income clients.

Brian Gulden joined MAVL in 2006 and donated 66.5 hours in 2009. Brian takes on difficult consumer and landlord tenant litigation cases for PLS clients. Brian is a partner at Patla, Straus, Robinson & Moore, P.A..

Broker & Hamrick, P.A. assists clients seeking Social Security disability, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and Workers’ Compensation benefits. Attorneys Leah Broker and Anna Hamrick have contributed 470 hours of pro bono service to PLS clients since joining MAVL. Support staff include Katie Gates, NC Certified Paralegal, Linda Johnson, paralegal and Karen Ward, NC Certified Paralegal. The quantifiable benefit to each Medicaid client found to be disabled is $128,300, the conservative value of medical treatment over ten years. During the time period of 01/30/2007 and 02/02/2010 alone, this firm secured quantifiable benefits for their clients valued at $7,369,700.

Cynthia Alleman noted that she was grateful to her many mentors, including Roy Davis, Barry Kempson, Faye Burner, Bill Whalen, Curtis Venable and the Honorable Sharon Barrett. "When we give back, we grow," said Alleman. "All of us have intelligence and things to share, and when we give our gifts, we all win."

(Some information for this story was copied from Pisgah Legal Services press release from April 1, 2010.)