Minneapolis: -- On March 8, the Hennepin County Bar Foundation’s annual Bar Benefit raised over $124,000 to serve the legal needs of the disadvantaged, and the Volunteer Lawyers Network raised over $18,000 through its silent auction and raffle held in conjunction with the benefit. Foundation President Marshall Lichty expressed his enthusiastic thanks to all for their generosity. 

The benefit, held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, Minneapolis, was an evening of fellowship, fun, and fundraising, supported by 450 members of the legal community, both bench and bar.  In addition to providing financial support for legal services, the Bar Benefit also provides an opportunity for the legal community to honor those who have distinguished themselves in pro bono work.

This year’s Pro Bono Publico awards were presented to:

·         Tom Tinkham, Dorsey & Whitney, who was unable to attend, but provided written comments to colleagues (the Distinguished Service award, which recognizes overall commitment to pro bono service throughout a lawyer’s career);

·         Keith S. Moheban, Leonard Street and Deinard, (award for Excellence in the Private Sector); and

·         Roderick “Rick” Macpherson, III, Mid-Minnesota Legal Services (award for Excellence in the Public Sector). 

Founded in 1968, the Hennepin County Bar Foundation is dedicated to the mission of ensuring the fairness of, and accessibility to, the legal system by promoting public understanding and confidence in our system of justice.  Toward this end, the foundation makes grants each year to community organizations involved in promoting the administration of justice, public legal education and the delivery of legal services to the citizens of Hennepin County.  Grants for 2011 will be announced in July.  Over $800,000 in grants have been distributed in the last decade, supported in large part by the Bar Benefit, as well as individual contributions from the members of the Hennepin County Bar Association.