MANCHESTER, NH: – The law firm of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A is proud to recognize attorney Margaret R. Kerouac with the first annual Jack B. Middleton Pro Bono Legal Services Award for her outstanding commitment to serving New Hampshire’s poor and underprivileged citizens.
McLane, New Hampshire’s largest full-service law firm, created the award in support of its efforts to help ensure that all New Hampshire citizens, regardless of resources, have access to the justice system. Since the firms inception almost a century ago, McLane has been a consistent leader in supporting the states most vulnerable constituents.
Providing legal services to the poor has been a hallmark of McLane’s heritage and culture, said Steven Camerino, a utilities law attorney who serves as chair of the firms management committee. We have always had great role models at the firm, and intend to maintain this commitment into the future. We created this award to encourage current and future McLane attorneys to continue to advance the firms efforts.
There is no one who better embodies the spirit of giving back than our own Jack Middleton, for whom the award is named, said Camerino.
Middleton, a senior partner was the first lawyer in private practice to be honored by the New Hampshire Bar Foundation with the Frank Rowe Kenison award for his exemplary work and substantial contributions to the betterment of New Hampshire’s citizens. An esteemed trial lawyer for nearly fifty years, Middleton has also given tirelessly to a number of civic organizations, including holding board positions with the United Way, the Mt. Washington Observatory and New Hampshire Public Television. Middleton was also among the pioneers of the IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) program in New Hampshire. Under IOLTA, interest earned on certain funds held by attorneys are used by the New Hampshire Bar Foundation to fund legal services for the poor.
Over the years, Jack has quietly spent countless hours in service to those most in need,” Camerino said. “He embodies the best of what those in our profession should aspire to be, and we are very proud to see young McLane lawyers like Margaret following in his footsteps.
Ms. Kerouac, who focuses on family law and personal injury, was selected unanimously by the committee for her generous personal time commitment over the past five years with the firm, during which she has herself handled or helped fellow McLane attorneys handle scores of pro bono cases for individuals in need.