Sonnenschein Announces Rothschild Award Winners for 2007
Attorneys Roger Heidenreich and Meleana Leaverton are the recipients of Sonnenschein’s annual Rothschild Award, recognizing their outstanding service to pro bono clients. Roger was presented with the Partner’s Award and Meleana received the Associate’s Award. As part of the honor, Sonnenschein will make charitable contributions on their behalf.
The awards, announced at the firm’s annual Partners Weekend in February 2008, were instituted in memory of Edwin Rothschild, who was admired within the firm and in the legal community for his dedication to pro bono pursuits.
Roger received the Partner’s Award in recognition of the many hours he devoted to a complex lawsuit involving the rights of convicts who have remained in custody after completing their sentences because they are found to be sexually dangerous. In another pro bono matter, the Supreme Court recently agreed to review a case in which Roger worked on several key amicus briefs on behalf of a native American tribe. The case concerns the jurisdiction of tribal courts in a discrimination case involving a tribe member and a non-tribe member. Roger completed all of this work while maintaining a full practice, serving on Sonnenschein’s Policy & Planning Committee and managing the firm’s St. Louis office.
Meleana received the Associate’s Award for her transactional work on behalf of several pro bono clients. The majority of her time was spent on the complicated merger of two nonprofits, Wildlife Rescue and the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. Meleana also worked with the Chez Panisse Foundation, founded by restaurateur and chef Alice Waters, to expand the organization’s “Edible Schoolyard” program. The program uses a one-acre organic garden to educate children about food. Meleana was largely responsible for creating an agreement for use by schools that wish to affiliate with the Edible Schoolyard. She also worked with an organization called Teachers Advocates, which raises money for teachers who are underpaid.
Information about our past Rothschild Award Winners are linked below:
