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July 16, 2024

Minneapolis Partner Jenny Covington Receives Pro Bono Service Award from LSC

MINNEAPOLIS — The Legal Services Corporation (LSC), an independent nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans, has named Nelson Mullins partner Jenny Covington one of the recipients of the organization's Pro Bono Legal Service Award.

Covington was awarded with the honor because she has shown a, "commitment to shrinking the justice gap for underserved Minnesotans and members of Tribal Nations." She will be recognized in Minneapolis by the LSC Board during a July reception in Minneapolis. At the event, she and other recipients of the award will be honored for their commitment to bridging the justice gap for underserved communities across the United States. The award is given out multiple times a year during the organization's quarterly meetings.

"Jenny has been an incredible partner to Anishinabe Legal Services, not only as a volunteer attorney, but also as a champion for pro bono work to other attorneys, as well," said Cody Nelson, executive director of Anishinabe Legal Services, who nominated Covington for the award.

Covington was honored with the award due to her work with Anishinabe Legal Services. ALS provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals living on or near the Leech Lake, Red Lake, & White Earth Reservations. Covington and her team have assisted ALS with custody matters, orders for protection, and other legal activities supporting women and children freeing themselves from family violence.

"Jenny is a shining example of how the legal community can come together to protect our country's promise of equal access to justice," said Ron Flagg, president of LSC. "We know the resources available only meet a fraction of the need that exists for civil legal aid. Pro bono service is a critical way we can bridge that gap, and we are so appreciative to Jenny, and to all attorneys who volunteer their time to further the cause of justice."

"Jenny made a huge difference for the Native American people she has represented as a volunteer attorney for us," Valerie Field, the Litigation Director of Anishinabe Legal Services said. "The vast majority of our representation are in the Tribal Courts in our area.  However, low-income Native Americans have unmet civil legal needs in District Courts’ too."

“All of the cases Jenny has worked on not only involve safety issues for our client but also for the client’s children,” Field added.  “With there already being attorneys on the opposing side of the cases Jenny took, I am sure that had she not been there to help her clients, the outcome of their cases would be far less successful."

An attorney with over 20 years of experience, Covington's practice focuses on the defense of product liability, class action, mass tort, commercial litigation, and intellectual property matters. She has represented well-known medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers in high-profile claims, often involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death.

Nelson Mullins' Pro Bono Program strives for liberty and justice for all in legal need. The program was created with the mission to serve the less fortunate and nonprofits providing services in our communities and beyond. Pro bono is a tradition deeply rooted in our culture. In 2023 alone, the firm provided over 50,000 hours of pro bono service and has provided over 900,000 since the pro bono program’s inception in 1990.

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is a full-service Am Law 100 firm of more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals with offices across the United States. For more information, go to www.nelsonmullins.com.