CDEL Partner of the Year

The CDEL Partner of the Year Award honors a corporation and/or law firm that has provided exceptional assistance and volunteer support to CDEL and its clients.

Jenner & Block LLP is an outstanding CDEL partner.  In recent years the firm has supported CDEL through multiple forms of volunteerism.  The firm has participated in CDEL’s Power of Attorney Workshops, first joining CDEL during the pandemic when all programs were operating remotely.  

In the summer of 2023, Jenner & Block LLP provided crucial pro bono and financial support for an important CDEL case involving an individual who was at risk of losing full ownership of his home due to a family member taking advantage of him. The file was very complex and required the assistance of both ASL and Certified Deaf Interpreters.  Jenner & Block LLP Partners Lina Powell and Andrew Merrick agreed to take on the file for pro bono trial representation.  At the same time, an incoming Jenner & Block LLP Associate was starting a Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Fellowship with CDEL.  Elizabeth Powers devoted much of her fellowship to trail preparation.  The entire team was fantastic. The trial took place over four days, and the firm spent over 200 hours on the preparation, trial, and post-trial pleadings.   

Previous CDEL Partner of the Year Award Winners:

• 2023: Astellas Pharma US

• 2022: Salesforce

• 2021: Chapman and Cutler LLP

• 2020: Kirkland & Ellis LLP

• 2019: Perkins Coie LLP

• 2018: BMO Financial Group

• 2017: Walgreens

• 2016: AT&T

• 2015: McDonald’s Corporation

• 2014: United Airlines, Inc.

• 2013: Baker McKenzie LLP

• 2012: The Northern Trust Corporation

• 2011: Caterpillar; Seyfarth Shaw LLP; and AT&T

• 2010: Accenture

• 2006: Navigant Consulting, Inc. and Federal Signal Corporation

• 2005: Federal Signal Corporation and Baker McKenzie LLP

• 2000: Arthur Andersen LLP and The Northern Trust Corporation