18 Fish & Richardson Attorneys Recognized by D.C. Courts in the 2023 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

The Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll has recognized 18 Fish & Richardson attorneys for donating 50 or more hours of pro bono service during the 2023 calendar year. 

"We are proud to have a strong tradition of pro bono service here in our D.C. office,” said Principal Daniel Tishman, who serves as pro bono coordinating attorney of Fish’s Washington, D.C. office. “It is important that we all make time as professionals in this industry to contribute towards helping others and promoting equal access to justice.” 

Of the 18 Fish attorneys on the list, eight were honored for performing more than 100 hours of pro bono work. 

In a joint letter to the honorees, Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the D.C. Court of Appeals and Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring of the D.C. Superior Court wrote, “As chief judges, we are acutely aware of the significant obstacles faced by individuals with limited resources who all too frequently must represent themselves in proceedings, often against represented parties. We salute you for using your time, talents, and expertise to ensure that those who cannot afford an attorney have meaningful access to justice.” 

In sum, attorneys completed more than 390,000 hours of pro bono service in the District of Columbia courts.  

The Fish attorneys recognized are: 

• Keith Barritt 
• Bryan Cannon 
• Joseph V. Colaianni 
• James Cowan* 
• Joel Couenhoven 
• Daniel Gopenko 
• Thomas L. Halkowski 
• Joel Henry 
• Patrick King* 
• Terry G. Mahn* 
• Tina Murphy* 
• April Park 
• Timothy W. Riffe 
• Melissa Shannon* 
• Charlene Thrower* 
• John Thuermer* 
• Laura Whitworth 
• Yao Wang 

*Designates High Honors  

Fish attorneys are dedicated to serving the communities in which they live and work, and pro bono work is an integral part of the firm’s professional culture. In 2023, the firm made significant pro bono contributions, with Fish attorneys completing over 18,000 hours of pro bono service for the year. Fish believes that the practice of law is a privilege that carries with it the responsibility to provide pro bono legal services to those in need.