Greenberg Traurig Equal Justice Works Fellow Todd Belcore Honored as White House "Champion of Change"

CHICAGO and WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Todd Belcore, an Equal Justice Works Fellow sponsored by international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has been named a "Champion of Change" as part of President Obama's "Winning the Future" initiative. Belcore joins an exclusive group, including Equal Justice Works Executive Director David Stern, recognized by the White House on its "Champions of Change" blog. According to the blog, Champions of Change are "Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country to meet the many challenges of the 21st century." Belcore and other Champions of Change honorees were recognized at a private ceremony held in the White House today, October 13.

"Words can't describe how humbled and excited my family and I are that the White House saw fit to include me in the individuals chosen to receive this tremendous honor," said Belcore. "More importantly, I want to thank you all at Greenberg Traurig for having enough faith in my potential to sponsor me so that I can do the work I love and for putting me in the position to even be considered for an honor of this magnitude. I really appreciate you and the fellowship you've blessed me with."

Greenberg Traurig provides funding through the Greenberg Traurig Fellowship Foundation for lawyers and law students to work with public interest groups. Through the Foundation, Greenberg Traurig serves as the largest sponsor of Equal Justice Works Fellowships in the United States and has invested more than $6.3 million to support, in whole or in part, over 100 Equal Justice Works Fellows since 1999. These fellows, graduates of 47 law schools, have served 38 cities across the United States. They have delivered critically needed legal services at more than 78 nonprofit host organizations, working on 27 issue areas ranging from community development and disability rights to domestic violence and immigrant populations. Together, the sponsors, fellows and host organizations ensure equal access to the justice system for society's most vulnerable individuals and communities.

As a fellow, Belcore works at  the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago where he focuses on organizing, educating, litigating and crafting legislation to combat the stigma and inequality felt by people with a criminal record and how those records - no matter how inconsequential - affect more than just the prospects of the person with the record. Todd works with individuals to seal records, expunge records, and apply for and receive Certificates of Good Conduct so that they can pursue employment, services such as housing, insurance benefits, and licenses to be able to work. To date, Todd has represented 54 individuals. He actively organized and worked with other advocates to push for the passage of HB 298, which allows for any non-conviction on an individual's criminal record to be eligible to be sealed. The bill was signed into law by Governor Patrick Quinn of Illinois on August 18, 2011.

"We are very pleased that David and Todd were recognized and are extremely excited that we were a small part of that achievement," said Holly Skolnick, president and founder of Greenberg Traurig's Fellowship Program and shareholder in the firm's Litigation Practice Group. "The work of the Equal Justice Works fellows greatly impacts the communities in which we live and work and that is tremendously satisfying for us as we move forward with support of the program."

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, full-service law firm with approximately 1800 attorneys serving clients from more than 30 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia. In the U.S., the firm has more offices than any other among the Top 10 on The National Law Journal's 2011 NLJ 250. In Mexico, the firm operates as Greenberg Traurig, S.C., and in the U.K., as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP. Greenberg Traurig has a strategic alliance with the independent law firm, Studio Santa Maria with offices in Milan and Rome. The firm was Chambers and Partners' USA Law Firm of the Year in 2007 and among the Top 3 in the International Law Firm of the Year at the 2009 The Lawyer Awards. For additional information, please visit www.gtlaw.com.

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig, LLP