UM Law alumnus D. Porpoise Evans, an associate in the Miami office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, is the first recipient of the Community Advocacy Award from Put Something Back, a joint pro bono project of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida and the Dade County Bar Association.

Evans, a 2002 graduate of the Law School, was honored with this newly-created award for his outstanding pro bono contributions to the South Florida community. Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina presented Evans with the award on May 19 at the Dade County Bar Association Annual Awards Luncheon. Evans is one of 12 attorneys presented with an award from Put Something Back. The Dade County Bar Association Annual Awards Luncheon salutes honorees for their deep dedication for making equal access to justice a reality to all.

“Porpoise’s commitment to pro bono and the community at large is extraordinary,” said Holly Skolnick, president and founder of Greenberg Traurig’s Fellowship Foundation. “His tireless work done on behalf of others truly sets him apart and reflects the firm’s commitment to pro bono.”

The Put Something Back Pro Bono Project is the official program for providing free legal assistance to the needy population of Miami-Dade County. It is designed to increase access to the civil legal system by serving as an umbrella agency for referral to all other legal service providers and as a clearinghouse for attorneys who volunteer to help the indigent of the community.

Evans focuses his practice on counseling public and private companies, and representing their interests in connection with government investigations and commercial disputes. He is experienced in several forms of litigation including securities, intellectual property, construction, real estate, class action, and ADA defense. He also devotes significant time to pro bono work, having focused on education advocacy and political asylum claims. He currently represents indigent clients as a specially appointed public defender. He is a member of the University of Miami's Center for Ethics & Public Service Advisory Board, and recently accepted an appointment as clinical adjunct professor with the CEPS. He previously served as the southeast regional director of Brown University's Alumni Schools Committee and as secretary of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association.

posted 29-May-2009