Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is pleased to announce that partner Mark W. Wickersham has been awarded the Pro Bono Hero Award by Legal Aid Works® (LAW) to “highlight the extraordinary work done on behalf of the organization’s clients throughout the service region.” LAW’s recognition of Wickersham was part of the organization’s Golden Anniversary Cocktail Hour, a celebration of the organization’s “50 years of justice.”

“With an estimated 53,000 low-income people who qualify for free legal services throughout Fredericksburg and its 16 surrounding counties and just seven attorneys on staff, we rely heavily on the generosity and talent of lawyers like Mark who offer their services pro bono,” said Ann H. Kloeckner, executive director of Legal Aid Works. “Mark’s dedication to handling uncontested divorce cases, which are among the most frequently requested services, and his clever and innovative approach with these clients is worth celebrating.” 

Wickersham, a partner whose practice at the firm focuses on corporate and securities matters, has dedicated more than 100 hours annually to pro bono work for the last 15 years.

“Handling uncontested divorce cases appeals to me because it makes my clients so relieved and happy and I can do the work concurrently with my corporate matters,” said Wickersham. “LAW has to devote their limited resources to the most immediate needs of folks who cannot afford to pay attorneys, and they are constantly looking for help with divorce cases. Personally, it is extremely gratifying to help people close one chapter of their lives so they can move on to the next. When I complete a case and call the client with the news, their joy is palpable and gratitude is immense.”

In his day-to-day work for the firm, Wickersham advises executives and board members of public and private REITs on a broad range of capital markets, securities, corporate governance and SEC compliance matters. His clients have been involved in REITs across a wide range of asset classes, including lodging, single-family rental, retail, office, manufactured homes and industrial. Wickersham has represented both issuers and underwriters in numerous capital markets transactions, whether IPOs, follow-on offerings, or 144A offerings and other private placements. He has also represented both acquirors and targets in mergers and acquisitions.