As chair of the Tax Section’s Pro Bono Award Committee, I am honored to announce that this year’s recipient of the Janet R. Spragens Pro Bono Award is C. Wells Hall, III, the former Tax Section Vice Chair of Pro Bono and Outreach. Wells is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This award was established in 2002 to recognize individuals or law firms for outstanding and sustained achievements in pro bono activities in tax law. In 2007, the award was renamed in honor of Janet R. Spragens, who received the award in 2006 in recognition of her dedication to the development of low-income taxpayer clinics throughout the United States.
Wells’ career includes many pro bono achievements. His primary primary focus over the past few years has been the Tax Section’s Adopt-A-Base program, in which Tax Section members partner with the Armed Forces and the IRS to provide training to military Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) participants on bases across the country. Under Wells’ leadership, the Adopt-A-Base program has grown exponentially, expanding coverage from two bases in 2013 to 47 bases in 2017. In addition to being actively involved in improving the program and in recruitment, Wells personally volunteers and provides instruction at the military bases. Countless members of the Armed Forces and their families have benefitted from Wells’ work.
Wells’ commitment to pro bono work and public service is an inspiration to us all, and the Tax Section is proud to honor him with this award. If Wells has inspired you to volunteer with the Adopt-a-Base program, you can learn how to get involved here. ■