Attorney John McLees
The international law firm Baker & McKenzie recently recognized the attorneys who created the Jan Karski Educational Foundation and Fundacja Edukacyjna Jana Karskiego, sister foundations in Chicago and Warsaw, which share the mission of promoting the legacy of the late Jan Karski. The firm recently conferred those who have participated in the firm’s work on behalf of the foundations with the Robert L. Berner, Jr. Award of Excellence, named after a retired partner whose career exemplified commitment to pro-bono activities. The award honors pro-bono work that is of particular importance and of special value to the community, locally and globally.
Lawyers in Chicago, Dallas and Warsaw have worked to assist in the formation and operation of the foundations, which were established in the fall of 2012. Among other things, Baker lawyers have assisted in obtaining confirmation of the tax-exempt status of the foundations, and have given valuable counsel on copyright matters and other important matters.
“This award represents the value that the firm places in the work of the Jan Karski Educational Foundation and Fundacja Edukacyjna Jana Karskiego," said John McLees, the Baker & McKenzie partner who coordinates the firm’s work for the foundations, "and recognition of the energy and commitment demonstrated in the Chicago, Dallas and Warsaw offices in supporting that work.”
The attorneys on the Baker & McKenzie team have included Weronika Achramowicz, Lukasz Targoszynski, Marcin Fijalkowski and Piotr Maksymiuk in Warsaw, Heiko Burow in Dallas, and Bob Deignan, Sam Grilli, Mike Donovan and Leslie Bertagnolli in Chicago.
"The foundations are proud to work with Baker & McKenzie," said JKEF president Wanda Urbanska. "Our legal team has been remarkably dedicated and hard working. We couldn't imagine having better partners."
