NEW YORK – Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is pleased to announce that the firm will be one of several firms honored with the Volunteers of Legal Service’s (VOLS) Pro Bono Award for stewardship in fulfilling the mission of the organization. New York-based partner Karen Artz Ash, co-chair of Katten’s National Pro Bono Committee, will accept the award on behalf of the firm at the VOLS 25th anniversary celebration on October 6. The award will be presented by Jonathan Lippman, Chief Judge of the State of New York and Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.

Katten is being honored with the VOLS Pro Bono Award in recognition of its involvement in the VOLS Microenterprise Project, which provides pro bono legal assistance to low-income microentrepreneuers. This includes making firm attorneys available to evaluate and offer guidance on intellectual property matters, including patent, trademark and copyright registrations. Katten also aids microentrepreneurs in designing optimal corporate structures.

Katten has a long-term commitment to helping the poor, powerless and disenfranchised obtain first-rate legal representation without charge. The firm’s attorneys and other legal professionals give their time, resources and talent to serve individuals and organizations in need, to engage in important national litigation, and to partner with local legal service providers to ensure access to the justice system.

VOLS’ mission is to develop projects that provide pro bono civil legal services to benefit the poor in New York City. The organization identifies areas of legal need and creates projects to meet these needs, and recruits, trains and mentors lawyers who provide volunteer legal services. VOLS serves vulnerable New York City populations, including children, the elderly poor, claimants denied unemployment insurance benefits, incarcerated mothers, persons with HIV/AIDS, and low-income microentrepreneuers. Katten has long been a participating firm in providing pro bono assistance to VOLS projects, and Ms. Ash has served on the VOLS board of directors for the last three years, following the service of Katten partner Joshua Rubenstein in this capacity.