Sheppard Mullin's Gene Takagi Named Among "Outstanding Barristers of 2003"

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP announced today that Gene Takagi, an associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group, was one of three recipients of the "Outstanding Barristers of 2003" award, given by the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF). Takagi received the award for his work in organizing the 2003 Summer Associates Public Service Program for BASF and for his tireless pro bono efforts in the community.

Takagi, who earlier this year was among three Sheppard Mullin attorneys commended by the Mayor of Newark, California, for the pro bono services provided when the City sought legal assistance for the Newark Chamber of Commerce in restructuring itself as a non-profit corporate entity, said, "I am very grateful for having the opportunity to be an advocate for pro bono work and am honored to receive the award from the Bar Association."

Bob Gerber, chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee, said, "Gene's work with the Volunteer Legal Services Program is a fine example of how Sheppard Mullin's lawyers give something back to each of the communities in which we practice. The fact that Gene was chosen for this distinction by the Bar Association of San Francisco is a wonderful reaffirmation of our firm's dedication to providing free legal services to those who cannot afford them."

The BASF is a nonprofit voluntary membership organization of attorneys, law students, and legal professionals in the Bay Area. The Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP) is a separately incorporated, and funded, affiliate of the BASF. VLSP is the largest and only comprehensive legal services program, providing free legal aid to low-income and disadvantaged people, including battered women, disabled children, abused seniors, homeless people, and countless others. The program celebrated 25 years of service in 2002.

Sheppard Mullin received the 2002 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year award by the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. In addition to this coveted award, presented to the firm five times since 1989, Sheppard Mullin also received the 2002 San Diego County Bar Association Law Firm Public Service Award and the 2002 Legal Aid Society of San Diego Outstanding Service Award. Sheppard Mullin provides pro bono legal services in a wide variety of cases, including Social Security claims, immigration, landlord/tenant disputes, adoption proceedings, and disabled children seeking educational opportunities.

Sheppard Mullin has more than 400 attorneys among its eight offices in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Orange County, Del Mar Heights, San Diego and Washington, D.C. The full-service firm provides counsel in Antitrust and Trade Regulation; Business Litigation; Construction, Environmental, Real Estate and Land Use Litigation; Corporate; Entertainment and Media; Finance and Bankruptcy; Financial Institutions; Government Contracts and Regulated Industries; Healthcare; Intellectual Property; International; Labor and Employment; Real Estate, Land Use, Natural Resources and Environment; Tax, Employee Benefits, Trusts and Estates; and White Collar and Civil Fraud Defense. The Firm celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2002.

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