The ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law presented the
2008 Francis Perkin's Public Service Award to the Pro Bono Project of New Orleans during their 2008 Annual CLE Conference in Denver.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Pro Bono Project of New Orleans established the Employment Law Program to address the needs of the immigrant construction workers, many of whom are non-English-speaking, who came to New Orleans to help rebuild that city. Many of these workers did not receive the minimum wage or overtime pay, and were otherwise subjected to illegal employment practices.

Notwithstanding severe budgetary constraints, the decrease in the number of lawyers practicing in New Orleans and the significant damage to the practices of those lawyers who remained, the Pro Bono Project of New Orleans has had significant success in recruiting lawyers to represent abused workers and in obtaining redress for those workers. In its first year of operation, the Employment Law Program has served 332 clients and has developed working relationships with law schools and other organizations that are attempting to provide vital services to this population of workers.

To find out more about the Perkins Award, requirements for nomination, and profiles of past recipients click here