Leonard, Street and Deinard received the 2009 Distinguished Service Award for Children from the Children's Law Center (CLC) of Minnesota. This prestigious award, which annually recognizes a significant commitment to pro bono representation of children, honors the firm's efforts to promote the rights and interests of Minnesota children who are in foster care or who are wards of the state.

The following Leonard, Street and Deinard attorneys will receive the award: Jim Dorsey, Dominic Cecere, Robert Devolve, Jeff Ehrich, Claire Gagnon, Robert Kugler, Elizabeth Papacek, Daniel Palmquist, Matthew Seltzer and Amy Walsh Kern. Their contributions will be recognized at CLC's 14th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

CLC's executive director, Linda Foreman, and board president, Thomas Frasier, stated in their letter to the firm announcing the award that "Leonard, Street and Deinard's dedication and service to the children of Minnesota is impressive. Your lawyers have set a high standard for pro bono representation of these children and have contributed significantly to the work of CLC. On behalf of CLC, and especially the children we serve, thank you for your exemplary service!"

CLC of Minnesota was established 13 years ago to advocate for the rights and interests of all children in the judicial, child welfare, health care and educational system. CLC is dedicated to the whole child and uses a multi-disciplinary approach in fulfilling its mission. This unique approach most frequently combines the skills of social workers and attorneys.