2025 Award Recipients
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Wilson Sonsini’s exceptional and far-reaching pro bono achievements reflect a deep-rooted commitment to social impact, equity, and innovation. Building on a legacy of service established by its founding partners, the firm has expanded its pro bono practice across national and international offices, delivering critical legal support in civil rights, immigration, intellectual property, and nonprofit governance. In 2024, the firm made major strides in transactional pro bono work—hiring its first dedicated Pro Bono Counsel, launching a nonprofit pro bono task force, and training attorneys firm-wide. Wilson Sonsini’s impact includes helping minority-owned businesses, supporting veterans' healthcare access through Project Philo, empowering youth through entrepreneurship education, and assisting social enterprises in Africa's clean energy sector. Through partnerships with organizations like Justice Climate Fund, SDVLP, Mission Bit, and 1000 Black Voices, the firm has demonstrated how legal expertise can drive systemic change, economic opportunity, and climate equity.
Tara K. Burke
Tara has demonstrated outstanding and sustained contributions to pro bono legal service and nonprofit education at both the national and local levels. As the Knowledge Management Attorney for Jackson Lewis P.C.’s Disability, Leave & Health Management practice group, Tara has played a central role in Exponentum’s National Webinar Series, helping plan and deliver many high-impact webinars that have provided vital employment law guidance to hundreds of nonprofits serving low-income and disadvantaged communities. Simultaneously, she has been a dedicated volunteer with Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio (PBPO), leading educational workshops, authoring accessible legal resources, and providing direct legal assistance to nonprofits in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas. Her work has empowered nonprofits across the country to navigate complex legal issues, conserve resources, and focus more fully on their missions—ultimately benefiting vulnerable populations such as children, immigrants, small business owners, and older adults. Through her expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment, Tara has had a transformative impact on the nonprofit sector.