By JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

For his efforts in encouraging law firms and lawyers to provide free legal aid to the indigent, Kenneth Manning is receiving a 2008 President's Pro Bono Service Award from the New York State Bar Association.

Manning is being honored at two events this week: the Bar Association of Erie County's Law Day luncheon in Buffalo yesterday and the State Bar Law Day luncheon in Albany today.

Manning was chosen for the individual-attorney honor for his commitment to improving access to justice, regardless of income, through big-picture projects and directly representing those in need of legal assistance.

"I am pleased to have the effort recognized for the work that's been done by both myself and our law firm," he said.

The Phillips Lytle LLP partner said the firm has been committed to pro bono activities, such as encouraging lawyers to handle landlord-tenant disputes in the Buffalo Housing Court's Attorney-of-the-Morning Program, and allowing him to spend a "great majority of time" as co-chair of the 8th Judicial District Pro Bono Committee.

"It's really through his efforts that we've gotten support from, first, his law firm and then other law firms for this initiative," said co-chair Hon. Sharon Townsend, the district's administrative judge. "His leadership has made the difference in its success."

After meeting with judges, court clerks and lawyers from private and public practice, Manning and Townsend created a report on the need for more pro bono services in the area. The committee, now in its third year, has funded a pro bono coordinator, Amanda Warner, through the Bar Association of Erie County's Volunteer Lawyers Project.

A pro bono conference in Buffalo last weekend, a joint effort of the committee and the University at Buffalo Law School, was well-attended. About two dozen private practitioners were trained on how to handle pro bono matrimonial cases at the conference.

"We're particularily focusing in matrimonial, which we recognized as an unmet need in this district," Townsend said.