News

2021 Volunteer Award Recipients

Natasha Saltz: Mercy Fresno Hall of Fame Award

The Mercy Fresno Hall of Fame Award honors a volunteer whose efforts exhibit, by action and deed over an extended period of time, exceptional service and dedication to the Center, its clients and its causes, and who has left a permanent mark in its history as its namesake.

Lou Egerton-Wiley: Frances Wender Kandel Volunteer of the Year Award

The Frances Wender Kandel Volunteer of the Year Award honors a volunteer who has shown a dedication to community service, the Center and its clients, in the tradition of the award’s namesake, Frances Wender Kandel, a volunteer lawyer who, before her untimely death, helped start the Center and was one of its biggest cheerleaders and active participants.

Nancy Martinez: Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award

The Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award honors a volunteer lawyer who has provided substantial and extraordinary service in a case or cases, or in a subject matter, providing relief to a client or clients who without the assistance, would have been irreparably injured.

Alf Andersen: New Volunteer of the Year Award

The New Volunteer of the Year Award honors an individual who has joined the Center as a volunteer within the last 12 months, and has shown spirit, energy and commitment to serving as a role model for other new participants.

Gerald Lloyd Friedman, Limor Mojdehiazad: Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award honors a volunteer whose contributions within the year has exceeded expectations, and benefitted clients as well as the needs of the Center.

Suzanne Barron: Community Volunteer of the Year Award

The Community Volunteer of the Year Award honors a volunteer who has carried out behind-the-scenes activities that have substantially contributed to enhancing the Center’s infrastructure.

Fred Emmer: Emeritus Award

The Emeritus Award honors an individual who has provided exceptional assistance and dedication to the Center, its clients and its causes, who is also a member of the California State Bar Pro Bono Practice Program, which requires that, during the applicable year, the attorney only practice law on a volunteer basis with a qualified legal service provider.

Farzad & Ochoa Family Law Attorneys, LLP: Pro Bono Firm Award

The Pro Bono Firm of the Year award honors a firm whose members provide exceptional professional assistance to Center clients. The firm’s generous contribution of its time and expertise ensures that the Center’s clients have meaningful access to the family court system.

March 2022