Annual Awards Event
Pro Bono Awards Reception
Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown and President Jodi Blecker present the 2007 Pro Bono Awards
New Attorney Pro Bono Award to Orlando D. Barnes, Esquire
Orlando Barnes served the citizens of our community more than 20 years as a Prince George's County Police Officer. Shortly before retiring as a Deputy Police Chief in June 2005, Mr. Barnes volunteered a few hours a week at the then-Law Foundation of Prince George’s County.
After establishing a solo practice in the fall of 2005, focusing on family law, personal injury and estate services, Mr. Barnes continued his service to the community by accepting several non-contested divorce cases from Community Legal Services, and gradually increased his caseload, completing several highly contested custody cases.
Mr. Barnes is a graduate of the University Of Maryland School Of Law. He is married, the father of three, and a resident of Prince George’s County. Mr. Barnes is grateful to those that have assisted him as he established his legal practice.
Small Law Firm Pro Bono Award to Muskus & Muskus, LLC
The law firm of Muskus and Muskus, LLC has a combined 38 years of practice experience. Eugene Muskus began his career in the State’s Attorney’s Office in 1969 and in 1972; he joined the law firm of Fisher & Walcek. In 1990, Mr. Muskus became a solo practitioner. In 2003 his daughter Jennifer Muskus, was admitted to practice law and joined the firm.
Eugene Muskus has been a volunteer for Community Legal Services since the early 1990’s, providing representation, advice, and support to families in crisis. He received his J.D. in 1969 from Catholic University of America. Mr. Muskus is a member of the Prince George’s County Bar Association and Maryland State Bar Association. He is also a Prince George’s County District Court ADR Volunteer.
Jennifer Muskus is a leader in assisting children in need of educational services, providing confidence and a brighter future to our children. Jennifer Muskus received her J.D. from the University of Baltimore in 2003, Magna Cum Laude.
Eugene Muskus’s commitment to community services is founded in his recognition of the need to help ALL individuals who seek legal assistance.
Jennifer Muskus’s commitment has been inspired by Judge Cathy Serrette’s encouragement to her to use her many talents “for those whose rights we are fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue.
Joseph, Greenwald & Laake Pro Bono Family Law Clinic
Our greatest appreciation goes to those attorneys who have volunteered their legal services through the Family Law Clinic. Attorneys working through this clinic meet monthly to share experiences, to help each other grow in their knowledge of the law, and to support each other as they strive to make a difference in the lives of children.
Many of our most passionate and devoted volunteers have passed through this clinic. We thank Barbara Jorgenson for her leadership and mentoring of these attorneys.
Law Firm Pro Bono Award to Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, PA
Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A. is one of the most well-respected law firms in suburban Maryland. They are a full service law firm that provides quality legal representation to all types of clients. Whether Community Legal Services needs a lawyer to draft a simple will, a lawyer to represent a battered spouse in a contested custody and divorce matter, or a mentor for a new attorney, they are always willing to help.
Members of the firm have served on the Board of Community Legal Services, continuously mentor attorneys new to family law, accept some of our most challenging clients, and provide funding to extend legal services to those in our community in need. Joseph, Greenwald & Laake is committed to serving clients with the highest levels of professionalism, personal care, and attention.
Fred Joseph Pro Bono Award to Honorable Ann R. Sparrough
Master Ann Sparrough earned her Juris Doctorate from American University in 1972. Master Sparrough began her career as an Assistant Public Defender for Prince George’s County, while practicing civil law part-time with the firm of McKee & Amster. (Later to become Amster & McGill).
In 1994, Master Sparrough earned her Post Masters Certificate in Psychotherapy from Bowie State University. In 1980, she was appointed as a Master for Juvenile Causes, Family Court for Prince George’s County Circuit Court.
Judges of the Circuit Court have found Master Sparrough to be critical source of never-ending education on dependency law and she has been a sounding board on difficult decisions.
Ann has been an enthusiastic supporter of the County's Teen Court Program and has made it a priority in her ongoing love and concern for youth.
- New Attorney Pro Bono Award Charles Ashurst, Esquire
- Law Firm Pro Bono Award Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, P.A.
- Fred Joseph Pro Bono Award Janet Hart, Esquire
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E. A. Lawson-Jackson & Associates Edith Lawson-Jackson, Esquire and Jacqueline Ogunye-Raphael, Esquire