On Thursday, May 15, 2014, the DC Bar Foundation honored James D. Bishop, Director of the Catholic Charities Legal Network of the Archdiocese of Washington, as the recipient of the 2014 Jerrold Scoutt Prize.
The Scoutt Prize, endowed by the Washington, D.C., firm of Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger, LLP, is named in honor of Jerrold Scoutt Jr., a founding partner of the firm, in recognition of Mr. Scoutt’s and the firm’s long-term support of legal services. The prize is awarded annually to an attorney who has worked to provide direct hands-on legal services to the underserved in Washington, DC and who has demonstrated compassion, genuine concern, and a high degree of skill on their behalf.
“It is indeed a privilege to be recognized for my work in increasing the access of low income people to pro bono legal services in the Washington area,” said Bishop.
He paid homage to a few organizations and their leadership as supporters of the same effort. They included: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington and their President, Rev. Monsignor John J Enzler; the Legal Network’s Advisory Council and its Chairman, David T. Ralston, Jr.; and all of the volunteers, staff and interns of the Catholic Charities Legal Network.
“Too often in our public discourse on poverty, we are quick to recognize the results of poverty: unemployment, crime, a lack of independence and motivation. What we rarely talk about are the many more barriers that low-income families face. To be a part of [helping to remove those extra barriers] and to be honored before so many dedicated people in this tonight and beyond, is truly humbling,” said Bishop.
Susan M. Hoffman, Vice President of the DC Bar Foundation, presented James D. Bishop with the Scoutt Prize on behalf of the Foundation at the 2014 DC Bar Reception Honoring the Judiciary in the Rotunda of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
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The District of Columbia Bar Foundation was established in 1977 to provide lawyers and law firms with an effective vehicle for fulfilling their ethical obligation to ensure that all residents of our community have access to competent legal representation by funding legal services for the underprivileged. The Foundation awards grants to DC civil legal services organizations, administers the publicly-funded DC Poverty Lawyer Loan Repayment Assistance Program, and provides technical assistance and training to the District’s civil legal services providers.
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