Nebraska Appleseed Selects Stinson for Good Apple Awards Recognition

07.25.2023

Nebraska Appleseed has recognized Stinson LLP with a 2023 Good Apple Award. Stinson is honored with the Seeds of Justice Award, recognizing the firm's legal work and hours provided for critical research to advance social justice in Nebraska.

"I have had the good fortune of working with a variety of attorneys at Stinson over the years, and I can say without hesitation that they are one of the most committed and consistent firms in terms of providing pro bono resources, not only in Nebraska but across the country," Nebraska Appleseed Legal Director Robert McEwen said in a release announcing the 2023 Good Apple Awards honorees. "I am proud to be associated with Stinson and would stand behind the quality of their work, and the attorneys that work there, any day."

Stinson has been committed to supporting the mission of Nebraska Appleseed for almost 15 years, donating nearly 600 hours throughout the years. Pro bono services and resources provided to Nebraska Appleseed include legal research, evaluation of litigation and amicus brief drafting around issues related to a number of Nebraska Appleseed's priority areas, including child welfare, economic security, health care access, immigrants and communities, voting rights, and worker wages and protections.

Stinson attorney Kalissa Kleine has been involved in a number of the firm's projects involving Nebraska Appleseed. She's a member of the firm's pro bono committee and serves as the Omaha office representative.

"It has been an honor to work with Nebraska Appleseed during my time thus far at the firm," Kleine said. "From my first project researching legal issues to ensure underrepresented individuals were counted in the census to our most recent project reviewing state and federal sub-minimum wage laws and the impact on specific groups, such as inmates and individuals with disabilities, partnering with Nebraska Appleseed has provided opportunities to give back to my community and state in a different way than I am able to do in my day-to-day legal work."

The 2023 Good Apple Awards recognizes organizations and individuals that have kept community needs at the center of their work and used their skills and resources to advance the fight for justice and opportunity for all. The Seeds of Justice Award recognizes outstanding legal contributions to public interest law and/or pro bono contributions by private practice lawyers and law firms advancing the public interest through public policy reform.

Stinson is one of three organizations to be recognized for its work at the grassroots level to support those directly affected by some of the most pressing issues in Nebraska.

Stinson's pro bono program is implemented by Pro Bono Counsel Katie Cronin, along with Pro Bono Attorney Tim Sanders Szabo and Pro Bono Specialist David Gottfried. The firm's pro bono strategic plan expects all partners to contribute substantially to the firm's legacy through pro bono legal work and community service, and it encourages and supports involvement from partners to summer associates. Through pro bono, Stinson attorneys and paralegals gain skills and invest in their communities while receiving billable hour credit for their work.

The firm will be honored with the 2023 Good Apple Seeds of Justice Award at the Livestock Exchange Building Ballroom in Omaha, Nebraska, Thursday, October 5, 2023.