Public Law Center's Annual Dinner Raises $660,000

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PHILANTHROPY

Benavidez Honored as Attorney of the Year

The Public Law Center's annual Volunteers for Justice Dinner raised a record $660,000.

The Santa Ana-based pro bono law firm helps people in need get access to attorneys.

The event, held this year at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, is the Public Law Center's main fundraiser.

About 800 attendees heard a keynote address by Goodwin Liu, associate justice of the California Supreme Court.

Julie McCoy, of the Law Office of Julie M. McCoy in Newport Beach, and attorney Mark Minyard of Newport Beach-based Minyard Morris LLC were co-chairs of the dinner committee.

Those honored at the event include Mayte Santacruz Benavidez of Latham & Watkins LLP, as attorney of the year; the Orange County Bar Association and its Charitable Fund, as community partner of the year; and Snell & Wilmer LLP, as law firm of the year.

Last year's dinner raised $646,000.

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