ABA Tax Section Announces Recipient of Pro Bono Award
ABA Tax Section Announces Recipient of Pro Bono Award
- Institutional AuthorsAmerican Bar AssociationSection of Taxation
- Subject Area/Tax Topics
- Jurisdictions
- LanguageEnglish
- Tax Analysts Document NumberDoc 2012-4931
- Tax Analysts Electronic Citation2012 TNT 47-31
The Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award, named after the late American University Law professor who greatly contributed to ensuring representation for low-income taxpayers, is presented each year to an individual lawyer or law firm that has demonstrated outstanding and sustained commitment to pro bono legal services, particularly with respect to federal and state tax law.
"Frank Agostino sets the standard for pro bono work in the tax area," said William M. Paul, section chair. "He saw a need to assist unrepresented taxpayers and he has dedicated a huge amount of time and energy to pro bono and community-centered activities," Paul continued. "His work in New York and New Jersey is a model for others to replicate, and is a testament to his commitment and dedication to helping taxpayers in need."
Section Pro Bono Committee Chair Francine Lipman added that, "Frank Agostino is a selfless, generous servant to tax justice, a role model for all future and established tax lawyers, and a pro bono tax legend." Agostino works with hundreds of pro se petitioners and tried numerous cases on behalf of these pro bono clients to ensure that no one is unrepresented before the Tax Court. In addition, he dedicates an extraordinary amount of time assisting in countless cases at local Low Income Taxpayer Clinics.
The ABA Section of Taxation Pro Bono Award was initiated in 2002 at the recommendation of the section's Special Pro Bono Task Force. Its name was changed to the Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award in 2007.
The American Bar Association Section of Taxation is the largest professional association of tax lawyers, with approximately 23,000 members nationwide. Its goals include helping taxpayers better understand their rights and obligations under the tax laws and working to achieve a simplified tax system that is equitable and efficient.
With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.
- Institutional AuthorsAmerican Bar AssociationSection of Taxation
- Subject Area/Tax Topics
- Jurisdictions
- LanguageEnglish
- Tax Analysts Document NumberDoc 2012-4931
- Tax Analysts Electronic Citation2012 TNT 47-31