Howard T. Goffen, a pro bono attorney at LAF (Legal Assistance Foundation), will receive the prestigious American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico award for his work on behalf of low income individuals across Cook County. Goffen is one of only five winners throughout the country who will be honored on August 6, 2012 during the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago.

For more than seven years since his retirement from the private sector, Goffen has devoted more than 7,000 hours of pro bono legal services to his clients at LAF. He has been primary counsel or co-counseled more than 120 cases and has helped his clients in numerous, life-altering ways. He has prevented the loss of client’s homes through loan modification, prevented the termination of Social Security benefits, defended hospital collections lawsuits and garnered unemployment benefits.

“Howard’s impact on LAF’s clients is enormous and he is more deserving of this award than any  other attorney that I have come across in my career,” said Diana C. White, Executive Director of LAF. “He comes in early, stays late and readily gives up his day off if need be. His dedication, tenacity, compassion and humility make him the gold standard for pro bono attorneys.”

Goffen is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago, Lake and DuPage Bar Associations. He is also a member of the ADR and Elder Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. In 2010, he was honored as a Senior Counselor by the Illinois State Bar Association for celebrating fifty years as an active attorney. Goffen received his J.D. from DePaul University Law School.

The ABA Pro Bono Publico Award is presented each year by the Standing Committee on Pro bono and Public Service to honor individuals or institutions in the legal profession that enhance the human dignity of others by improving or delivering volunteer legal services to the poor or disadvantaged.

About LAF
LAF helps families and individuals living in poverty to resolve their non-criminal legal issues and get back on track. LAF’s more than 80 full-time attorneys and staff provide comprehensive free legal services for civil problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. We make equal justice a reality and break the cycle of poverty. For over 40 years, LAF has been providing professional legal services to tens of thousands of people in metropolitan Chicago. For more information, visit www.lafchicago.org or go to our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/equaljusticestartshere.