RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2015--
Discover Financial Services has been selected as the 2015 recipient of
the Scott C. Solberg Pro Bono award presented by the Legal Aid Society
of Metropolitan Family Services. The award honors Discover for its
exemplary commitment to pro bono services in the state of Illinois.
The Scott C. Solberg Pro Bono Award honors law firms, corporations or
attorneys who display a strong commitment to the fundamental principles
of equal protection and equal justice in the community through
outstanding pro bono service. Last year, Discover partnered with
organizations such as the Lawndale Christian Legal Center and the
Woodlawn Legal Clinic to help provide counsel to people in underserved
indigent communities on a variety of legal issues ranging from evictions
to family law matters.
"Providing legal services to those in need mirrors our core values of
doing the right thing, respect and volunteerism," said Kelly McNamara
Corley, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at
Discover. "Pro bono services provide crucial assistance to marginalized
communities and underserved populations -- such as children and the
elderly -- who are often denied access to justice. We are honored to
receive this award from the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family
Services and will continue to look for ways in which we can offer our
services to those in need."
Discover focuses on education-based pro bono opportunities that contain
a legal or consumer protection component. These initiatives included
Chicago Legal Prep’s Academy Negotiations Program, Chicago Lawyers’
Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Lawyers in the Classroom.
The committee also recognized Discover for the legal services it gave to
Legal Aid Society clients through programs such as the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program and Human Trafficking Initiatives.
"We are thrilled to honor Discover Financial Services with the 2015
Corporate Pro Bono Award for their exemplary commitment to pro bono
service to the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services and
throughout Illinois,” says Karina Ayala-Bermejo, Esq., Executive
Director, the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services and EVP
& General Counsel, Metropolitan Family Services. “Discover has provided
direct legal services to Legal Aid Society clients via the Human
Trafficking Initiative among other programs. We are very impressed with
the breadth and strength of its pro bono program, and how the company
has made volunteerism a vital part of its culture."
The award was presented to Discover at the Legal Aid Society's annual
Equal Access to Justice Awards Luncheon on Oct. 7 in Chicago.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private
student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings
accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its
direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions
of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's
leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global
payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and
territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.
Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services
The Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services (LAS) pioneered
the concept of equal access to justice more than 125 years ago. LAS
provides critical legal services to low-income families in the Chicago
area, protecting them in cases of domestic violence, elder abuse,
housing and consumer issues, and human trafficking. Today LAS serves
more than 8,000 families and individuals each year.
LAS is part of Metropolitan Family Services, which has been empowering
Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively
impact their communities since 1857. www.metrofamily.org
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151028005283/en/
Source: Discover Financial Services
Discover Financial Services
Susan J. Diaz de Leon
224-405-5344
SusanDiazdeLeon@discover.com