The American Bar Asociation Section of Taxation is accepting nominations for the Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award that will be presented at the ABA Midyear Meeting.

The award is given to one or more individuals or law firms that have provided meritorious pro bono service in the representation to low-income taxpayers.

Nominations may be submitted on the online nomination form.
http://www.abanet.org/tax/awards/probono-nomination.html

The deadline for nominations is Monday, November 15, 2010.

Award Criteria

Each year the Tax Section presents a Pro Bono Award to one or more individuals or law firms who devote their time and energies to pro bono representation, particularly representation of low-income taxpayers. The award may be based upon any of the following criteria:

• Handling a significant number of tax controversies for low-income taxpayers on a pro bono basis over an extended period of time, or intensive involvement over a limited time with significant impact
   
• Voluntarily forming, operating or participating in organizations, such as low-income taxpayer clinics (LITCs) devoted to representation of low-income taxpayers, particularly if such participation is over an extended period
   
• Formation, supervision and participation in programs to assist tax controversies, including “attorney of the day” programs for the Tax Court
   
• Mentoring law students and other individuals who work for LITCs
   
• Preparation of resource materials for LITCs and other low-income programs
   
• Providing pro bono legal assistance to tax-exempt organizations, especially those formed to help low-income taxpayers

Background

The ABA Section of Taxation Pro Bono Award was established in 2002 to recognize one or more individuals or law firms that have provided meritorious pro bono service in the representation to low-income taxpayers. The award is intended to encourage pro bono activities by all members through public recognition of the pro bono services of the annual award winners.

At the Section's 2007 Midyear Meeting, Council approved changing the name of the Pro Bono Award to the Janet R. Spragens Pro Bono Award, in honor of the late American University (WCL) Law Professor who greatly contributed to ensuring that low-income taxpayers receive pro bono representation in tax controversy matters. Spragens developed the Federal Tax Clinic at AU, and was instrumental in helping achieve federal funding for non-profit low-income taxpayer clinics nationwide.