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James Buda and the Legal Department of Caterpillar Inc. Receive the “ACC/CPBO Pro Bono” Award
ACC President Fred Krebs Presents Award at Caterpillar’s Division Meeting in Peoria, IL
Posted: Nov 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC/PEORIA, IL (November 19, 2009) – The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) will present its 2009 “ACC/CPBO Pro Bono” award to James Buda, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and to the Legal Department of Caterpillar Inc. at a Caterpillar Legal Services Division Meeting in Peoria, Illinois. ACC presents the award annually to recognize corporate counsel for outstanding achievements and dedication to pro bono legal services and projects.
“I commend James Buda and the Legal Department of Caterpillar Inc. for their pro bono program. You fix problems and help those in need. Well done!” said ACC President Frederick J. Krebs.
To ensure a greater scope of work programs, Buda worked with Caterpillar attorneys Mike Sposato and J.P. Kumar to create a 6 Sigma team to develop an extensive pro bono program. Caterpillar partnered with Prairie State Legal Services to provide debt collection, foreclosure and senior citizen representation to Prairie State’s 2,500 low-income clients in Peoria. Under Buda’s leadership, Caterpillar also assisted in legal matters for the Center for Prevention of Abuse, also in Peoria. The Center helps approximately 2,000 victims of domestic abuse annually.
Caterpillar attorneys have also dedicated time to helping first responders obtain wills through the “Wills for Heroes” program and have held clinics on advanced services directives. At the statewide level, Caterpillar attorneys have been instrumental in a proposed rule change before the Illinois Supreme Court to allow limited corporate practice attorneys to engage in pro bono activities. The Illinois Supreme Court adopted the rule change in March 2008, thereby increasing the number of attorneys in the state who can dedicate their time and efforts to pro bono endeavors.
Past ACC/CPBO Pro Bono Award winners include Bruce Sewell and Legal Department of Intel Corporation (2008); William A. Von Hoene, Jr. and the Exelon Corporation Legal Department (2007); Kenneth V. Handal and the Worldwide Law Department of CA, Inc. (2006); Anastasia D. Kelly, MCI (2005); Bradford L. Smith and the Law Department of Microsoft Corporation (2004); General Motors Corporation (2003); Philip Morris Worldwide Law Department (2002); and Dennis J. Stryker, General Counsel, Rick Engineering (2001).
“I commend James Buda and the Legal Department of Caterpillar Inc. for their pro bono program. You fix problems and help those in need. Well done!” said ACC President Frederick J. Krebs.
To ensure a greater scope of work programs, Buda worked with Caterpillar attorneys Mike Sposato and J.P. Kumar to create a 6 Sigma team to develop an extensive pro bono program. Caterpillar partnered with Prairie State Legal Services to provide debt collection, foreclosure and senior citizen representation to Prairie State’s 2,500 low-income clients in Peoria. Under Buda’s leadership, Caterpillar also assisted in legal matters for the Center for Prevention of Abuse, also in Peoria. The Center helps approximately 2,000 victims of domestic abuse annually.
Caterpillar attorneys have also dedicated time to helping first responders obtain wills through the “Wills for Heroes” program and have held clinics on advanced services directives. At the statewide level, Caterpillar attorneys have been instrumental in a proposed rule change before the Illinois Supreme Court to allow limited corporate practice attorneys to engage in pro bono activities. The Illinois Supreme Court adopted the rule change in March 2008, thereby increasing the number of attorneys in the state who can dedicate their time and efforts to pro bono endeavors.
Past ACC/CPBO Pro Bono Award winners include Bruce Sewell and Legal Department of Intel Corporation (2008); William A. Von Hoene, Jr. and the Exelon Corporation Legal Department (2007); Kenneth V. Handal and the Worldwide Law Department of CA, Inc. (2006); Anastasia D. Kelly, MCI (2005); Bradford L. Smith and the Law Department of Microsoft Corporation (2004); General Motors Corporation (2003); Philip Morris Worldwide Law Department (2002); and Dennis J. Stryker, General Counsel, Rick Engineering (2001).
About ACC:
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world’s largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations and other private-sector organizations around the globe. ACC promotes the common interests of its members, provides resources to help save time, money and effort, contributes to their continuing education and provides a voice on issues of global importance. With more than 25,000 members in over 70 countries, employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC's community connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel.®
About Caterpillar:
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2008 sales and revenues of $51.3 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at http://www.cat.com.
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world’s largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations and other private-sector organizations around the globe. ACC promotes the common interests of its members, provides resources to help save time, money and effort, contributes to their continuing education and provides a voice on issues of global importance. With more than 25,000 members in over 70 countries, employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC's community connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel.®
About Caterpillar:
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2008 sales and revenues of $51.3 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at http://www.cat.com.
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