This page is devoted to all attorneys that have provided their time, assistance, knowledge and a helping hand to those in need of legal assistance. Your services have truly been a great relief for someone who otherwise would have been lost in our judicial system.

With the deepest appreciation and respect,

2010 PRO BONO ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR

Scott R. Jenkins
Scott Jenkins is a Shareholder at the Law Firm of Strong & Hanni. He has more than 30 years experience advising individuals, entities and charitable organizations on legal issues including business, securities, estate planning, and probate matters. He is Chairman of the Board of Southern Sudan Humanitarian. Scott was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1978 and graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1977. He is married to Sandy Brass and they have three daughters, the youngest of which is a 1L at Gonzaga Law School. Scott and Sandy did volunteer work with Hmong refugees during the 1980’s through the Hmong Heritage Foundation. Scott speaks Spanish and enjoys independent films, US History and learning about his own family history. 

Jonny Benson
Jonny Benson practices almost exclusively in the area of immigration law. He is a 2006 graduate of the SJ Quinney School of Law at the University of Utah, where he earned his pro bono certificate by providing pro bono services at the Street Law Clinic at the Guadalupe Center. He interned with Holy Cross Ministries, where he was introduced to the practice of immigration law. Today he serves as the Vice Chair of the Utah Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Together with the SJ Quinney School of Law Pro Bono Initiative, he started the Horizonte School pro bono clinic, which provides free legal services to families facing immigration issues. He also serves as the Immigration Law Coordinator for the LDS Church's Inner City Project. He is an active member of his faith where he is the president of the young men's organization. He is happily married to a patient wife with 3 energetic boys, ages 5, 3, and 1.

See past Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award Recepients>>>

PRO BONO YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Roger Y. Tsai
Roger Tsai is an attorney focusing on immigration law at Parsons Behle & Latimer. Roger received his B.A. degree in political science and economics from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the University of Houston Law School in 2005. He has been a strong advocate on immigration issues nationally and demonstrated outstanding professional excellence. Roger has spoken nationally before the Federal Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has published articles through the American Bar Association and Utah State Bar. As a member of the Board of Governors for AILA, an organization that represents over 10,000 immigration attorneys nationwide and 60 attorneys in Utah, Roger testified on landmark state immigration laws before the Utah State Legislature. As the first non-Hispanic member of Governor Herbert’s Hispanic Advisory Council, Roger helped seek common ground on the divisive issue of immigration through dialogue between state lawmakers and the Hispanic community. Roger also successfully represented several asylum seekers pro bono from China, Kosovo, and Ethiopia. Outside of the legal arena, Roger has led numerous projects as president of the Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of the Society of Human Resource Management to engage and strengthen Utah’s minority community.

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2010 SCOTT M. MATHESON AWARD

H. Michael Keller
H. Michael Keller is a shareholder and practices environmental and natural resource law in the Salt Lake City office of VanCott, Bagley, Cornwall and McCarthy.  He chairs VanCott’s Natural Resources and Environmental Law Group and is listed in the Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Natural Resources Law and Environmental Law.  Mike received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Dartmouth College and his J.D. from Duke University School of Law.   Mr. Keller is a member of the American Bar Association’s Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law and a member of the Utah State Bar’s Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section.  He served as President of the Utah State Bar’s Young Lawyers Section and chaired the inaugural Needs of Children Committee. Mike served as a Trustee and Secretary/Treasurer of the Utah Bar Foundation and as a Trustee and President of the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, Inc. He is currently the President of the Judge Memorial Catholic High School Board and is a member of Salt Lake Rotary Club 24.  For many years, Mr. Keller has judged mock trials and coached mock trial teams in the annual Mock Trial Competition. He is committed to helping our youth understand the legal system and their rights and responsibilities as citizens. For twenty years, Mike served as a member of Utah Law Related Education’s Board of Directors during which time he greatly contributed to law-related education in Utah.

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2010 LIBERTY BELL AWARD

John Florez
Mr. Florez is a native of Utah and holds an MSW degree from the University of  Utah, the U of U Emeritus Merit of Honor Award, and an honorary Ph. D. from Salt Lake Community College.  He is currently a weekly columnist for the Salt Lake Deseret Morning News. In 1989, John received a White House appointment with Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC where he served for two years.  He later was asked to serve as the first Director of the White House Commission on Education for Hispanic Americans where he served until returning to Utah in September 1992. Mr. Florez has been a staff member for Senator Hatch in Washington, DC.  He has served as a Utah State Industrial Commissioner for Governor Bangerter and has served in many capacities at the University of Utah as Assistant to the President,  Director of Equal Opportunity, and Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Work.   Mr. Florez has also served as the Director of the Central City Community Action Neighborhood. He has served on over 40 state, local and volunteer boards including the Utah State Bar Commission,  Salt Lake City School Board, UTA Board, United Way, Salt Lake Civil Service Commission and numerous mayoral and gubnatorial commissions and advisory boards.

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Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year

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