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Legal Aid board member to receive national award
Published: July 26, 2017
AKRON––A local attorney has been selected by the Legal Services Corporation to be honored for his commitment to pro bono legal services.
David Butz, a board member for Community Legal Aid, was recognized last Thursday evening at a Pro Bono Awards Reception alongside one other individual attorney, as well as the Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s legal department and Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP.
“David has been an asset to our clients for over the past two decades,” said Steven McGarrity, Legal Aid’s executive director. “He not only has provided free legal help to those in need, but he also has helped guide and shape the future of our organization as a board member. He is truly committed to the mission of providing justice for all.”
Those honored must have met specific criteria, including closing an exceptional number of pro bono cases and accepting difficult or complex cases.
“When we first read the criteria, David immediately came to mind,” said Jennifer van Dulmen, managing attorney for Legal Aid’s Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP). “Because he’s empathetic and has a great deal of humility, he would probably describe his work as ‘just part of an attorney’s job.’ But the dignity and hope he brings to his clients has an immeasurable impact on them. David wholeheartedly embraces pro bono, devoting efforts to seeing beyond the immediate problem and achieving more meaningful results.”
Butz, an attorney with Canton based Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths and Dougherty, has been giving back to his community through pro bono service for the last 22 years. In that time, he has closed approximately 108 cases, including family law, consumer, housing, probate, foreclosures, and record sealing cases.
“I’m humbled and deeply honored to be receiving such an important award,” Butz said. “The work I do with Legal Aid is important to me, not just as an attorney or a board member, but as a member of the community. We all have a responsibility to help each other, and as an attorney, the way I can help is making sure those who can’t afford it still can access legal representation to protect their rights.”
The Pro Bono Awards Reception took place Thursday, July 20, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Squire Patton Boggs in Cleveland. Remarks were given by Ronald Kopp, immediate past president of the Ohio State Bar Association, David Kutik, president of the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation and Robin Weaver, president-elect of the Ohio State Bar Association.