On January 19, The Warren B. Rudman Center and 603 Legal Aid honored Katherine J. Morneau (JD ’05) with the 2021 Bruce E. Friedman Award in a virtual ceremony attended by family, friends, and colleagues.
The award honors a UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law graduate and member of the New Hampshire bar who exemplifies Bruce Friedman’s commitment to representing the indigent through pro bono service. Professor Friedman was the founder of the law school's civil practice clinic. He died in 1997 at the age of 50.
The event featured numerous speakers sharing anecdotes about Professor Friedman and accolades about Attorney Morneau. Speakers included law school Dean Megan Carpenter, Superior Court Judge Charles S. Temple, New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Gary Hicks, and from 603 Legal Aid, Executive Director Sonya Bellafant and Pro Bono Manager Emma Sisti. Attorney Catherine Shanelaris, who received the Friedman award in 2016, introduced Attorney Morneau.
“Receiving this award is overwhelming,” said Ms. Morneau, who graduated from the law school in 2005, and expressed her gratitude to all involved in the evening ceremony. The founding attorney at Morneau Law, her firm represents families dealing with divorce, probate, and Medicaid and estate planning. She has received numerous professional awards for her commitment to the New Hampshire community.
Listen to the complete award ceremony here.
To learn more about Bruce Friedman, link here.
About the Warren B. Rudman Center
The Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership & Public Service at the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law serves as a hub for public discourse on the policies and current events that shape our society. It provides programmatic and financial support for students interested in exploring careers in public service while supporting public programming and academic inquiry that align with its mission. The Center honors former U.S. Senator Warren B. Rudman, also the state’s attorney general, who was widely admired for his integrity and willingness to work with politicians across the aisle to advance the public interest.
About 603 Legal and the Pro Bono Program
603 Legal Aid is a civil legal aid provider offering legal representation, advocacy, and education. In partnership with volunteer attorneys and community organizations, 603 Legal Aid works to make justice a reality for and with people who experience economic hardship that threatens their basic human needs. The Pro Bono Program leverages the expertise of volunteer attorneys to ensure equal access to justice for community members who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.
