Sheppard Mullin Awards Ruben Escalante The 2014 Bob Gerber Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP announced today that it has awarded associate Ruben Escalante the firm's 2014 Bob Gerber Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award. This award honors and recognizes the important community service work done by Sheppard Mullin attorneys. Escalante, a 2006 graduate of University of Southern California Law School, is based in the firm’s Orange County office and a member of Sheppard Mullin's Labor and Employment and Business Trial practice groups.
Partner Dan Brown, Sheppard Mullin's pro bono committee chair, commented, “Pro bono is one of the finest traditions of our profession. We are very thankful to Ruben for his dedication and hard work to grow our pro bono program. Specifically, he has given back to the community in which he resides by regularly volunteering to provide pro bono services at the Riverside Public Service Law Center’s Pro Se Clinic. Through this program, Ruben was able to serve as lead counsel in a successful trial for a very deserving client in need, and continues to identify projects that will advance his legal career and reputation.”
Escalante remarked, "I am of course honored to be recognized by the firm, but pro bono work is really its own reward. Win or lose, it is an opportunity to offer justice to people. I will always be grateful to Sheppard for encouraging attorneys to take the initiative and give back to their communities."
Federal district court judges and the Federal Bar Association (FBA) have publicly praised Escalante’s great pro bono work, the Public Service Law Center honored him with its Equal Access to Justice Award, and Escalante was appointed to the Board of the FBA—Inland Empire Chapter and to serve as a Ninth Circuit Judicial Counsel Lawyer Representative.
Sheppard Mullin's Bob Gerber Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award is the firm's highest pro bono honor, and was implemented to recognize and reward the important community service work done by Sheppard Mullin attorneys. The award is named in the honor and memory of Bob Gerber, who was the founder of Sheppard Mullin’s pro bono program and its leader for over a decade.