Koch Pro Bono Awards

At Koch, we believe taking a bottom-up approach is critical. We know that each of us has a responsibility, regardless of our day job, to make a positive difference in the world in our own way. That is why we encourage all Koch employees to participate in our pro bono initiative.

While Koch has hundreds of employees passionate about volunteering their time for pro bono work, we can’t do it alone. We count on our panel law firms to partner with us to further the impact we can make on communities and the lives of those who need our help the most.

The following recipients have gone above and beyond in their work. We are proud to recognize these firms and individuals for their passion and dedication to advancing pro bono through our fourth annual Koch Pro Bono Awards.

Tresa Boline, Koch Pro Bono Award winner

2024 Pro Bono Service Award

Adam Schaeffer, Associate General Counsel – Transactions

Adam Schaeffer has worked for Koch Legal since 2014 and is currently Associate General Counsel – Transactions. Since the inception of the Pro Bono Initiative, Adam has been a key contributor. He frequently volunteers to be the Koch internal legal contact when Barnes & Thornburg provides assistance to Catalyst organizations. In so doing, he has helped countless Catalysts with business formation documents, M&A advice, governance documents, and advice on how and when to expand. Adam embraces our vision to “change lives where we live and work,” building mutually beneficial connections in the Chicago, Illinois, area. Adam arranged two clinics this year with the Law Center for Better Housing, Koch volunteers, and attorneys from Jones Day to help low-income tenants address issues with their landlords. A third clinic is scheduled for November.

2024 Pro Bono Site Partner of the Year

Koch Methanol St. James

Koch Methanol St. James has been recognized as Site Partner of the Year for its work with Baker Botts and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles in organizing the clinic, underscoring the facility’s deep roots and commitment to the community.

2024 Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award

Baker Botts, LLP

Baker Botts has been recognized with a Pro Bono Award for its work with the Koch Pro Bono Initiative, including its work with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles in organizing a pivotal driver’s license reinstatement and renewal clinic in July at the Koch Methanol St. James facility. This initiative demonstrates Baker Botts’ dedication to impactful pro bono work in the community.

Past Award Winners

2023 Pro Bono Service Award Winner Tresa Boline has helped change hundreds of lives through her leadership for the Midwest Innocence Project and Wichita Expungements project.

2022 Pro Bono Service Award Winner Logan Overman is a key contributor to the Midwest Innocence Project case reviews, criminal expungement cases and the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

2022 Criminal Justice Pro Bono Award Winner Brendan O'Toole of Williams Mullen played a key role in securing a pardon for Sincere Allah, through Koch’s compassionate release initiative.

2021 & 2022 Pro Bono Partner of the Year Winner Barnes & Thornburg provided over 1,500 hours of work, worth almost $1 million, in its first year supporting Stand Together Catalyst organizations

2021 Midwest Innocence Project Hero Award Winner Wilson Sonsini reviewed dozens of cases for the Midwest Innocence Project, with 41 Wilson Sonsini attorneys participating.

2021 Pro Bono Innovation Award Winner Alston & Bird found new ways to support groups helping military veterans and people sentenced to life without parole as children.

2021 Pro Bono Partner of the Year Winner Barnes & Thornburg provided over 1,500 hours of work, worth almost $1 million, in its first year supporting Stand Together Catalyst organizations.

2021 Pro Bono Service Award Winner Jeremy Hilsman, chief counsel for real estate, Koch, volunteered 200 hours on more than 20 matters – from expungement to real estate issues.

Pro bono. Delivering legal aid to those who need it most.