The law firm of Leonard, Street and Deinard is the recipient of the 2009 John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award. The prestigious award, established by the American Bar Association Section of Litigation, recognizes those who ensure that our legal system meets the needs of the indigent and other persons in need of access to justice.

John Minor Wisdom served for 42 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit during the period when that court was charged with interpreting and implementing Brown v. Board of Education. His landmark decisions include ordering integration at the University of Mississippi and requiring recalcitrant school boards to implement ("with all deliberate speed") the desegregation order of the Supreme Court.

Judge Wisdom was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the American Bar Association Medal (the ABA's highest honor) for his "courageous and significant contributions to this nation's progress toward equality among its citizens."

"The award reflects our 87-year history of providing pro bono legal services and other contributions to the community," says firm president Lowell Stortz. "From George Leonard's pro bono representation in 1922 to our current partnership with the Legal Clinic, and our representation of non-profits who serve the indigent and the community, we can be proud of our long tradition."

Firm shareholders Jane Godfrey and Byron Starns attended the award ceremony in Atlanta on April 30 and May 1.

Leonard, Street and Deinard is among Minnesota's largest law firms, with offices in Minneapolis, St. Cloud and Mankato, Minnesota, and in Washington, D.C. From its regional base, Leonard, Street and Deinard serves clients throughout the United States and the world. The firm employs nearly 200 attorneys in more than 40 practice areas and, since its founding in 1922, has helped generations of clients achieve their business objectives.