Firm Recognized for Pro Bono Work

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law honored Latham as its Outstanding Pro Bono Partner Law Firm during its virtual gala. The firm was recognized for its pro bono work on behalf of public school students with disabilities in Kanawha County, West Virginia, which serves the families of Charleston, the state capital, and is the largest school district in the state.

In 2020, a Chicago-based team filed a class action lawsuit after discovering that this school district pushes out students with disabilities from their classrooms because of their behavior, instead of providing them with the effective behavior supports they need in order to receive an appropriate education. Class certification was awarded in August 2021.

“It is a privilege to work collaboratively with such a talented, creative, and supremely committed team of lawyers. I know they have my back, and that together we will achieve our goals,” noted Lewis Bossing, Senior Staff Attorney at Bazelon, as he presented the award to associate Karen Klass, who accepted on the firm’s behalf.

In addition to Karen Klass, the Latham team includes partner Robin Hulshizer, counsel Kirstin Scheffler Do, and associates Renatta Gorski, Jaime Zucker, Nayan Ramakrishnan, and Gabe Slater. Along with the Bazelon Center, our pro bono partners are The Arc of the United States, Mountain State Justice, and Disability Rights West Virginia; we are also working with Scott Ballenger, a former Latham partner who is now a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law.