Adams and Reese attorney Mark Surprenant, in the firm’s New Orleans office, received a pro bono award from the Legal Services Corporation at the organization’s pro bono awards reception held January 24th in the Louisiana Supreme Court building.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation nominated Surprenant for his dedication to assisting their clients and for his commitment to pro bono legal services in Louisiana.
Since the beginning of his career and joining Adams and Reese in 1977, Surprenant has been dedicated to community service. In 1988, he created HUGS — the firm’s corporate philanthropy program — and in 2000 he established CA&RE — the firm’s official pro bono program. Mark is also the Co-Founder of SOLACE, Inc. (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel All Concern Encouraged). SOLACE is a statewide volunteer organization with more than 6,000 volunteers. It reaches out to assist those in the legal community who have experienced some significant, potentially life-changing event in their lives. He also serves on the Board of St. Andrew’s Village, which reaches out to assist adults with developmental disabilities, and on the Board of the Catholic Foundation.
His most recent honors include the Distinguished Donor Award from The Pro Bono Project (2012); Friend of Pro Bono Award from The Pro Bono Project (2011); Presidents Award from the New Orleans Bar Association (2010); Camille F. Gavel, Jr. Pro Bono Award from the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (2008); the Leah Hipple McKay Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteerism from the Louisiana State Bar Association (2008); “Role Model of the Year” by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans and “Great Gentleman for 2007” by the East Jefferson General Hospital Auxiliary.
Surprenant serves as the Adams and Reese Practice Team Leader of the Agricultural Chemicals team and as Liaison Partner of the Pro Bono Services Committee.
Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with offices strategically located throughout the southern United States and Washington, DC. American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation's top law firms - "The Am Law 200". The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the "NLJ 250" list of the nation's largest law firms.