LOUISVILLE, Ky—The Louisville Bar Association recently awarded Stites & Harbison, PLLC, the Paul G. Tobin Pro Bono Service Award. The award, normally given to an individual, was presented to the firm for providing pro bono legal services to victims of domestic violence at court hearings that decide whether temporary emergency protective orders should be turned into permanent protective orders.

This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of many Stites & Harbison attorneys who provide pro bono legal services on a rotating basis and who serve as on call lawyers for hearings two days a week.

“Marjorie Farris, who participated in the program when it began and who has been a guiding light for it for many years, accepted the award on the firm’s behalf,” said Kennedy Helm, chairman of Stites & Harbison. Farris is a member of the firm. Special recognition goes to attorneys Sheldon Haden, associate, and Jamie Neal, counsel, who coordinate the program for the firm, and to the many attorneys who have volunteered their time.

The program was originally conducted in conjunction with The Center for Women and Families and is now coordinated through the Legal Aid Society as part of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program and has been expanded nationwide to other communities.