September 26th, 2011 
David Rogers, McDermott, Wills & Emery and Tina Kearns, Gala Co-Chair and Managing Partner, Pillsbury,Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman (Photo Credit: Jackie Fishman)
A festive Kennedy Center Rooftop Terrace cocktail party and auction was the setting for the Children’s Law Center to celebrate 15 years of helping DC children who are caught in the child welfare system and impoverished children and families with special education and health care needs.
The Center provides comprehensive representation for more than 1200 children and caregivers annually. The extensive pro bono system includes hundreds of attorneys for more than 70 area law firms. Over the years, the Center has grown from an original staff of three people to a 70-person staff led by Executive Director Judith Sandalow.
Jones Day Partners Carmen McLean and Greg Shumaker accept the 2011 Pro Bono Champion Award (Photo Credit: Jackie Fishman)
The Gala saluted the Center’s work with an elegant buffet, chocolate dipped strawberries and mini cupcakes with the number 15 iced on top. Benefit Co-Chairs Joe Figini and Tina Kearns presented the 2011 Children’s Pro Bono Champion Award to the firm of Jones Day for the commitment and support for the cause of the CLC.
Senator Mary Landrieu,(D-LA) received the 2011 Distinguished Child Advocate Award for her work as Co-Chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and Co-Chair of the Senate Foster Youth Caucus.
Fifteen years of DC Childrens Law Center Cupcakes (Photo Credit: Jackie Fishman)
Attendees networked and toasted each other while bidding on items that included vacations and wine packages.
Everyone paused midway during the evening to watch a 10-minute video that brought to life the work accomplished by the Center and its pro bono attorneys from across the metro area. The video told the stories of some of Center clients and how the help they received made a difference in their lives. As one little boy in the video declared, “I love my lawyer,” the crowd applauded with appreciation for the good work that has helped thousands of DC children find loving, permanent homes.
