Charlotte, NC – Parker Poe is pleased to announce that Will Esser, a partner in the firm’s Charlotte office, has been awarded the North Carolina Bar Association’s William Thorp Pro Bono Attorney Award for 2017. This annual award, named after the founder of Legal Services of North Carolina, is presented to an attorney who has provided exemplary pro bono legal services to low-income North Carolinians. Will was initially nominated for his work with Legal Aid of North Carolina and Legal Services of Southern Piedmont. He will be presented with the award at the President’s Lunch at the NCBA Annual Meeting on June 23, 2017.
Will’s pro bono work coincides with his practice, where he advises clients in commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, foreclosures, loan workouts and loan sales.
After four years serving as Pro Bono Committee chair, Will is passing the torch to Katherine Ross, a partner in Parker Poe’s Raleigh office. Katherine will now lead the firm’s pro bono efforts, spearheading and coordinating initiatives across all seven offices. In 2016, Parker Poe attorneys recorded more than 4,000 hours of pro bono work. In her new role, Katherine will encourage Parker Poe attorneys to engage in pro bono activities, while working closely with clients to identify pro bono opportunities.
“Creating strategic pro bono partnerships with clients and agencies in various markets is a great way to strengthen relationships and meet community needs,” Katherine commented on her new role.
While routinely advising business and government clients on regulatory compliance matters, Katherine also assists clients with obtaining permits, and represents clients in negotiations with local and state agencies. With a focus on energy over the past several years, she has enjoyed representing developers of and investors in renewable energy in the acquisition, sale and financing of renewable energy facilities.
About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has approximately 200 lawyers in seven offices located in major markets across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on litigation, corporate and regulatory matters.
Parker Poe is a member of TerraLex, one of the world’s leading international legal networks. With 155 member law firms and 19,000 attorneys in 100 countries, TerraLex members provide the legal resources and expertise needed to conduct seamless business worldwide.