Denver (26-May-2010) - The Faegre & Benson Management Committee has selected Stephen Llewellyn and Nadia Malik as recipients of the 2009 John C. Benson Pro Bono Award. Established in 1994, the Benson Award is presented annually by the firm to a lawyer or lawyers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the delivery of pro bono legal services.

Llewellyn was recognized for his role in developing and managing the London pro bono practice and supporting community organizations that serve the poor. He leads the firm's Hackney Community Law Centre Clinic and manages the firm's relationships with clinic partners.

In addition to his work with the law centre, Llewellyn coordinated the Liberian Truth & Reconciliation Commission Diaspora Project in the U.K. He is also the firm's main contact with LawWorks, the central clearinghouse for pro bono work on behalf of community organizations and charities in the U.K. Llewellyn mentors lawyers who volunteer on transactional matters referred by LawWorks and personally represents several charities.

Honored for her overall commitment to the firm's pro bono practice, Malik is co-leader of the firm's Denver Post-Decree Clinic team and is the team's longest serving member. Through this role, Malik has gained expertise in law concerning basic rights to child custody, child support, visitation and spousal maintenance. She regularly mentors and trains other clinic team volunteers and consults on clinic matters.

Malik has represented multiple low-income clients in civil rights matters in federal district court. She has also represented clients seeking asylum and worked on firm teams representing death row and Innocence Project clients in post-conviction relief proceedings. Malik participates in many firm-sponsored community-service events, including Habitat for Humanity builds, the Denver Roll-Out-The Barrels food drive and the Race for the Cure.

Each Benson Award recipient may designate a community nonprofit organization to receive a $3,000 contribution from the Faegre & Benson Foundation. Llewellyn directed his donation to the Rushworth Street Centre, a shelter for homeless persons. Malik selected Mount St. Vincent Children's Home, a center for emotionally disabled children.