Shannon M. McNulty
The Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, presented Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, and Shannon M. McNulty, partner at the firm, with one of its 21st Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service.
The awards are given each year to recipients who have performed outstanding pro bono representation and advocacy in the public interest in the representation of a large group of indigents, successful representation in a difficult case, outstanding negotiation and settlement skills in achieving a result without trial, or an extraordinary number of hours committed to pro bono work.
Robert A. Clifford
Clifford and McNulty were bestowed an award for their work on the Executive Committee of the Court, a committee that helps the federal court carry out its non-case-specific business.
W. West Allen, President of the Federal Bar Association, was the keynote speaker at the event that was held at the James Benton Parsons Memorial Courtroom of the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse as well as online. He spoke of the importance of upholding the Constitution and “making justice equally accessible.” Constitution Day is Sept. 17 in the U.S.
“We are very humbled by being honored with this award and we fully embrace the notion of helping all those in need, particularly the underrepresented,” Clifford said following the ceremony. “Constitution Day next week is a wonderful reminder of the need to uphold all the tenets of this historic document and to honor the privilege and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.”
McNulty said, “I am honored to have received this recognition, and humbled to join the ranks of the other tremendously talented and dedicated awardees. The ceremony was very inspiring and I look forward to additional opportunities of service to the Court and indigent litigants.”
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).