Playing on the Buhai Team
Pat Lynch, 2016 Recipient of the Center’s Frances Wender Kandel Award
Helping clients surmount their legal challenges “is absolutely a team effort,” says Pat Lynch. “I see myself as a junior player, and I’m glad I get the chance to play on the Center’s team.” The ultimate “utility player,” Pat assists the clients as the go-to legal research scholar, a pro bono attorney handling cases in court and assisting clients with pleadings in the office. With the skill set of a 40+ year career as a litigator at O’Melveny & Myers, Pat tackles the issues with seasoned experience, intelligence and zealous determination to go the distance for the Center’s neediest clients.
In the spirit of Fran Kandel who was a dedicated Center booster, Pat is one of the Center’s biggest cheerleaders since he joined the Center’s volunteer roster in 2014. His talents were immediately recognized, garnering him the New Volunteer of the Year honor for that year.
Denise Nardi, 2016 Recipient of the Center’s Hall of Fame Award
Never hesitating to meet a legal challenge, veteran volunteer and donor, Denise Nardi, has come to the Center’s aid for the past 3 decades. From the early Center clinic days to handling complex, nuanced pro bono cases, Denise, a solo civil litigator for 30 years, has shouldered the Center’s legal work with commitment and humility. Although Denise has participated for many years, she still marvels at the “immediate difference” she and other volunteers make in the lives of Center clients. Recognizing her contribution, Denise was a recipient of the Kandel Award in 2011.
Betty Nordwind, the Center’s Executive Director adds the following comment: “Volunteers like Pat and Denise make me want to come to work every day because of their selfless contributions, great loyalty to the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law and the enormity of their impact on the lives of our clients over many years. These awards, which I know they do not seek, are just a symbol of what they mean to us.”