Our attorneys devote innumerable hours assisting low-income clients with their legal needs, serving in leadership roles with agencies dedicated to legal advocacy providing assistance to those who most need access to resources.
Wilmington Leaders Alliance - Morris James is a founding member of the WLA whose mission is to help shape the future of Wilmington by concentrating on four core areas: Economic Development, Leadership, Education and Safety.
Access to Justice Commission - The Delaware Supreme Court appointed Partner Lewis H. Lazarus to serve on the Access to Justice Commission and to chair its subcommittee on Judicial Branch Coordination In Helping Pro Se Litigants.
Office of the Child Advocate - Morris James attorneys volunteer their time by providing legal representation for dependent, neglected, and abused children in civil Family Court proceedings and engaging in legislative advocacy for this agency charged with safeguarding the welfare of Delaware’s children. The Office of the Child Advocate has awarded its Service To Children Award to Morris James for their dedication and support. More than eleven of our attorneys have over 5 years of service and six attorneys have over 10 years of service.
Combined Campaign for Justice - Morris James gives financial support to agencies that provide legal services to those who most lack access to these resources, including donations to the Delaware State Bar Association, the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., and the Combined Campaign for Justice. Partner Eric J. Monzo services as the General Chair.
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services – Morris James attorneys and staff spend hundreds of hours each year assisting low income clients with problems in a variety of areas. Attorney Jill Spevack Di Sciullo is a Board Member.
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. - CLASI helps provide equal access to justice, improving lives since 1946.
Community Healthcare
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - This active nonprofit group raises money and awareness for the treatment of people with mental illness. Partner Edward M. McNally serves as president of the Delaware Chapter. A team of Morris James employees raises money each year in the Delaware National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-DE) Walk. This staff-run effort contributes moneys to fund over 250 people in 60 group homes around the state.
American Heart Association - Partner Kimberly Hoffman is the Chair of the Delaware Heart Association. Morris James is proud to be an annual sponsor of the Wilmington Heart Ball and the Southern Delaware Heart Ball – two Delaware events that celebrate the American Heart Association’s work and mission.
Civic Support
Morris James is integrally involved in non-profit and community organizations that assist children and families, the elderly, and the arts in Delaware.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, Inc. - The organization is dedicated to providing good futures for Delaware youth through life-enhancing programs and character developing experiences. Partner Lewis H. Lazarus is a long-time member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Partners K. Tyler O'Connell and Michael G. Owen are members of the Board of Trustees.
Children and Families First - This non-profit agency offers programs statewide to strengthen families. Partner P. Clarkson Collins, Jr. has served on the Board of Directors since 1980. He served as President and Chair from 1992-1994. Partner James H. McMackin, III also serves on the agency's Board of Directors.
Children's Beach House/Sandcastle Ball - Morris James is a long-time supporter of this non-profit organization that strives to help children with special needs reach their highest potential as functioning members of their families and communities.
Delaware Photographic Society Endowment - Morris James established an endowment to support the Delaware Photographic Society, the oldest camera club in the USA. The focus of the endowment is to encourage and develop interest in photography through the annual Morris James Photographic Competition Award that goes to the first place finisher of its annual print and projected image competition.
Sojourners' Place - Morris James has a number of volunteers that support their mission to provide shelter and an array of individualized services for homeless men and women. Partners Albert Manwaring, Susan Ament and staff member Cathy Rossi serve on the Board of Directors. Other staff members volunteer their time on a monthly basis.
Awards & Recognitions
Access to Justice Award - Morris James LLP received the Christopher W. White 2015 Distinguished Access to Justice Award in 2015. This award is given to the firm who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of pro bono service to the impoverished in Delaware, and who fosters a culture which recognizes the value of Access to Justice service.
Service to Children Award - The Office of the Child Advocate recognized Morris James' "outstanding commitment to, and work for, children in the provision of legal or community services" by presenting them with the Service To Children Award at the Delaware State Bar Association Awards.
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services - Fourteen Morris James attorneys are dedicated volunteers, five of whom performed over five years of pro bono service, and six who performed over ten years of pro bono service serving as attorneys ad litem on behalf of neglected and abused children.
Sojourners' Place "Window of Opportunity" Award - Sojourners' Place honored the numerous volunteers and supporters at Morris James with their highest award in 2017.
American Diabetes Association Trophy – The Morris James Family and Friends Team was awarded the trophy for being the top corporate fundraising team for the 2012 American Diabetes Association’s “Step Out Walk To Stop Diabetes."
Thompson Brown Award - Children and Families First awarded long-time supporter Partner P. Clarkson Collins, Jr. in 2008 for his efforts to strengthen and advocate for Delaware's families.
The Delaware State Bar Association Service to Children Award – In 2008, the Delaware State Bar Association presented this prestigious award to Morris James in recognition of the countless hours of pro bono representation our attorneys have provided to indigent children in Delaware.
Caleb R. Layton Distinguished Service Award - The Delaware District Court presented this award to Partner Edward M. McNally in 2007 for his volunteer representation of indigent clients in federal court proceedings.
Kevin Free Award – Read-Aloud Delaware awarded Lewis H. Lazarus its highest honor for service to the organization, which acts to ensure that every Delaware preschooler is regularly read to one on one by a caring adult.
