We got word this week that a law firm has received a prestigious award.

Fennemore Craig has been given the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project’s Pro Bono Leadership Award.

I have written before about the Florence Project, including the contributions to its clients made by Fennemore Craig attorneys.

Congratulations to the firm, and to all lawyers who give freely of their time to deserving causes.

Here is the complete press release:

Fennemore Craig recognized for work with Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project

Phoenix, AZ, Jan. 31, 2011— Fennemore Craig has been given the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project’s Pro Bono Leadership Award.

The award recognizes Fennemore Craig’s volunteer work and help to develop Florence Project Programs. Fennemore Craig attorneys took eight case referrals from the Florence Project in 2010. Fennemore Craig lawyers who worked pro bono on Florence Project cases are McKenzie Brown, Jason Covault, Andrew Breavington, Todd Allison, Meredith Marder, Jake Cranston, Jason Spect and Carrie Pixler.

The Florence Project provides legal assistance to people who are detained in the United States immigration system and who cannot afford a lawyer. Many refugees have fled their countries because they fear imprisonment, torture, or death because of their ethnic identity, religion or political beliefs.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency keeps many refugees in correctional facilities in Florence and Eloy while their cases are pending, sometimes for over a year. Pro bono assistance is required because immigration detainees do not have a right to government-appointed lawyers.

Fennemore Craig is a full service law firm for businesses with nearly 200 attorneys and offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales, Las Vegas and Denver. For more information, visit http://www.fennemorecraig.com.