Outstanding Volunteer Attorney Awards (Released May 2008)
Boone County | Craighead County | Independence County | Randolph County | Searcy County | Washington County
Each year the Arkansas Pro Bono Partnership spotlights outstanding Arkansas pro bono attorneys. Four attorneys were honored
in the Winter Edition of The Arkansas Lawyer this year. In addition to the honored attorneys the Arkansas Pro Bono
Partnership is proud to list all the pro bono and contributing attorneys from each year. Click the links below to view the
full listing from The Arkansas Lawyer.
H. William Allen of Little Rock contributed more than 157 hours of pro bono services this past year to
VOCALS. He was one of the first pro bono attorneys to join VOCALS in 1982, has simultaneously been both a referral
attorney and a financial contributor, and served on the Board of Directors of the Center for Arkansas Legal Services.
Mr. Allen has represented clients in a broad range of cases. In 1984 - 85, Mr. Allen was President of The Arkansas Bar
Association. During his term, VOCALS received the American Bar Association's Harrison Tweed Award as the outstanding pro
bono program in the country.
 Robert M. Ford of Wynne is the recipient of this year's Arkansas Bar Foundation's Equal
Justice Distinguished Service Award for exemplary achievement and outstanding volunteerism. He has been a long time
volunteer attorney for Legal Aid of Arkansas, formed the Cross County Bar Association and is known throughout the state
as a zealous advocate for all his clients. Two of the highest compliments paid Mr. Ford by his colleagues are that
he is a gentleman and a renaissance man in the tradition of some of Arkansas's greatest attorneys.
 Kyle W. Havner of
Pine Bluff is the 2006 Pro Bono Lawyer of
the Year for Volunteer Organization of the Center for Arkansas Legal Services [VOCALS]. He joined VOCALS in 1994 and has been
a steady, valuable contributor to legal services for the poor in Jefferson County. Concentrating in the area of
bankruptcy not only has he volunteered his time to representing referrals individually but he has also consulted with and
advised legal services staff on consumer matters. His support is especially notable in light of the changes in bankruptcy law
which occurred in October 2005.
 Joel D. Johnson of
Fort Smith has served as volunteer attorney for AVLE since its inception. Mr. Johnson has stated
that helping people is really what this profession is all about and he has helped many people since he began practicing
law in 1979. He has also served the legal profession as member and president of the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel
and member of the House of Delegates of the Arkansas Bar Association.
 Gary W. Udouj,
Sr. of Fort Smith is the Volunteer Attorney of the Year of the River Valley Volunteer
Attorney Project [VAP]. He is recognized for his involvement in pro bono activities in Sebastian County over many years
including the founding and chairmanship of VAP, initiating town-meeting style assistance for homeowners after the tornado
of 1996. Mr. Udouj has been a member of VAP since 1990.
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