Sheppard Mullin Recognizes Whitney Hodges as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP announced today that it has awarded associate Whitney Hodges the firm’s 2016 Bob Gerber Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award, which honors and recognizes a Sheppard Mullin attorney who demonstrates a significant commitment to the firm’s pro bono program and helping those in need. Hodges, a 2010 graduate of the University of Southern California Law School, is based in the firm’s San Diego office and is a member of the firm’s Real Estate, Land Use and Natural Resources practice group.
Hodges is being awarded for her efforts on behalf of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and her individual work on pro bono cases and projects, which includes adoption cases, a state-by-state analysis of tort laws to assist survivors of domestic violence seeking justice against their abusers, pro bono work on behalf of Walden Family Services, the California Innocence Project, the Tustin Preservation Conservancy, Join Hands Save a Life, and assisting the firm in its role as the court appointed Monitor for the New Orleans Police Department. She is also the Founder and Chair of the San Diego Humane Society Young Professionals Committee.
As a result of her efforts, Hodges was selected by her practice group to lead the group’s efforts to set pro bono goals, identify pro bono opportunities, and encourage attorneys to participate by finding pro bono projects for a cause, issue, or community that they are passionate about. Hodges has played a similar role in the San Diego office.
“Whitney has demonstrated tremendous leadership through her pro bono work and on behalf of our pro bono program and has been instrumental in encouraging attorneys in her practice group and office to take on pro bono work, setting an inspiring example for all attorneys in the firm who desire to give back to the communities in which they live, and become better lawyers,” said Dan Brown, Sheppard Mullin’s Pro Bono Partner.
Hodges remarked, “Throughout my career, there have been countless times that I have been proud beyond words to be an attorney with Sheppard Mullin. However, the most significant moments are undeniably related to the Firm’s commitment to pro bono and my participation which has allowed me to give back to my community. I am honored to be recognized for my contribution to our amazing pro bono program.”
Sheppard Mullin's Bob Gerber Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award is the firm’s highest pro bono honor, recognizing and rewarding the important community service work done by Sheppard Mullin attorneys. The award is named in honor and memory of Bob Gerber, the founder of Sheppard Mullin’s pro bono program and its leader for over a decade.