Past NCBA Pro Bono Award Winners
Thorp Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award
2025 | Mark Holt
2024 | Kerry A. Friedman
2023 | Erik Zimmerman
2022 | Brandon A. Robinson
2021 | Sean Lew
2020 | Matthew Scott Roberson
2019 | Brent A. Torstrick
2018 | Rod Knight
2017 | William L. Esser, IV
2016 | Auley M. “Lee” Crouch
2015 | Bryant Webster
2014 | Kimberly E. Zirkle
Greenblatt Legal Services Attorney Award
2025 | Jonathan Perry
2024 | Rona Karacaova
2023 | Carlene McNulty
2022 | Angeleigh Dorsey
2021 | Dr. Johnnie Larrie
2020 | James Anderson Barrett
2019 | TeAndra Miller
2018 | Susan Pollitt
2017 | Jim Holloway
2016 | Kelly Clarke
2015 | Richard Kline
2014 | William J. Whalen
Younger Lawyer Pro Bono Award
2025 | Brad Piland, Elizabeth “Brooks” Savage
2024 | Palmer E. “Tripp” Huffstetler III
2023 | Troy Shelton
2022 | Samantha Evelynn Gordon
2021 | John David Noor
2020 | Tiffany Marie Burba
2019 | Manisha P. Patel
2018 | Nicki Applefield Engel
2017 | Rachel Blunk, Brooks F. Jaffa, M. Cabell Clay
2016 | Rachel Blunk
2015 | Erica Starling
2014 | Kristin R. Kelly
Law School Pro Bono Project
2025 | Civil Justice Clinic – Duke Law
2024 | Better Together – Duke Law, NCCU Law, UNC Law
2023 | NCCU School of Law Elder Law Project
2022 | Duke – Juvenile Sentence Review Board Clemency Review Project
2021 | Elon University School of Law – People Not Property Project
2020 | Wake Forest University School of Law – Criminal Justice Project
2019 | Campbell University, Service Animal Project (SAP)
2018 | WFU School of Law’s LGBTQ+ Project
2017 | Elon University School of Law Pro Bono Board County Conditions Project
2016 | NCCU School of Law Legal Ambassadors
2015 | Campbell Reentry Project
2014 | Cancer Pro Bono Project (Duke University and University of North Carolina Schools of Law)
Law Firm Pro Bono Award
2025 | Robinson Bradshaw, Sneed & Stearns
2024 | Robinson Bradshaw
2023 | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
2022 | Alston & Bird
2021 | Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
Large Law Firm Award
2020 | Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
2017 | Nelson Mullins
2016 | McGuireWoods LLP
2014 | Parker Poe
2013 | Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
Small & Medium Law Firm Award
2020 | Counsel Carolina (Osborn Gambale Beckley & Budd, PLLC)
2019 | Stone & Christy, P.A.
2018 | Law++
2017 | Garrity & Gossage
2016 | Everett Gaskins Hancock LLP
2014 | Wood Jackson PLLC
2013 | Chitwood & Fairbairn
The Chief Justice Award
2018 | Randolph County Bar Association
2017 | Wake County Bar
2016 | AILA Carolinas
2015 | NCBA Estate Planning Section
Outstanding Collaboration/Group Pro Bono Service Award
2025 | NC Disaster Legal Services: NC Pro Bono Resource Center, FEMA, Pisgah Legal Service, NCBA Young Lawyers Division, ABA YLD, Legal Aid of NC
2024 | NCBA SOGI LGBTQ+ Legal Clinics
2023 | Afghan Asylum Project with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein and Pisgah Legal Services
2022 | Emeritus Attorneys Giving Legal Expertise – Pisgah Legal Services (EAGLE)
2021 | Charles W. Williamson Bar Foundation – Drivers’ License Restoration Project
2020 | Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Project, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
2019 | Durham’s Expunction and Restoration Program (DEAR)
Outstanding Paralegal Pro Bono Service Award
2025 | Gennell Curry
2024 | Andrea M. Blosser
2023 | S.M. Kernodle-Hodges
2022 | Katelyn Morton Riddle
Filling the Justice Gap Award
2025 | NC Disaster Legal Services: NCBA Paralegal Division
2024 | Royal Touch Project Solutions
2023 | Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses (CLIMB)
2022 | Sarah Beth Withers – Inner Banks