CUA Law Alumnus is Nominated for the National Law Journal's Pro Bono Award
Michael J. Wilson, a 1989 graduate of Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law, was nominated in November 2009 for the National Law Journal Pro Bono Award. Wilson is a long-time commercial litigator in the Washington, D.C. office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP.His nomination was put forth by Rawle Andrews, managing attorney with the AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly. Andrews was also the recipient the D.C. Bar’s 2006 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award.
In his nomination letter on behalf of Wilson, Andrews stated:
…“Mr. Wilson is a dedicated pro bono attorney and tireless advocate for home owners in the District of Columbia who are facing home loss due to real property tax foreclosure sales. From January 2008 to present, Mr. Wilson has devoted over 1,200 hours in real property tax lien foreclosure advocacy and defense work on a pro bono basis that is valued at nearly $700,000 based on his standard hourly rate at the Firm. His pro bono work has resulted in the preservation of over 200 homes from loss due to tax lien foreclosure…”
Andrews went on to say that Wilson’s pro bono volunteerism “is making a real difference in this community and should serve as an example to others in the profession of what can be achieved when we use our special skills as lawyers for those less fortunate than ourselves.”
The nomination papers also praised Wilson’s willingness to take on so many pro bono hours, despite the impact that the corresponding decrease in his billable hours may have had on his own compensation.
Each year, The National Law Journal recognizes the firms and individuals that have done the most to uphold the legal profession's responsibility to ensure that people's legal rights aren't contingent on their ability to pay.
Last reviewed: November 23, 2009
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I was Mr. Wilson's mentor at Hogan & Hartson. I taught him everything he knows.
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