Husch Blackwell Partner Cynthia L. Cordes has been selected as a recipient of the Missouri Bar’s Pro Bono Publico Awards. The Pro Bono Publico Awards are presented annually to four attorneys who have rendered outstanding pro bono service to indigent or low-income persons in need of legal assistance. Cordes received the award at the Missouri Bar Annual Meeting and Judicial Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 11.
A nationally recognized former federal prosecutor working out of the firm’s Kansas City office, Cordes spearheaded Husch Blackwell’s pro bono Human Trafficking Legal Clinic, which launched in December 2013. Through the clinic, the firm represents all types of human trafficking victims – international and domestic, adults and children – in commercial sex and forced labor trafficking cases referred by law enforcement, prosecutors and partnering non-profit agencies. The clinic is the first of its kind in the country and represents an unprecedented dedication of resources by a law firm toward this effort. More than 40 of the firm’s lawyers volunteer to provide services for the clinic on a pro bono basis. Due to the overwhelming response from the community, Husch Blackwell also formed a 501(c)(3), the Human Trafficking Rescue Assistance Fund, to accept tax-deductible donations; 100 percent of the donations contributed to the firm’s 501(c)(3) non-profit fund will go directly to victims.
Cordes leads the pro bono clinic in addition to her work for clients at Husch Blackwell. She uses her experience in complex criminal litigation to help companies navigate compliance, regulatory and investigative issues.
Born and raised in Springfield, Mo., Cordes earned her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School (2004) and her B.S. in Journalism from Boston University (2001). She began her legal career as a trial attorney with the prestigious U.S. Attorney General Honors Program.
Husch Blackwell has a long-standing commitment to providing pro bono legal services to individuals, public service groups and charitable organizations that are unable to pay for the legal representation they need. The firm encourages its attorneys to provide pro bono legal services, engage in activities that improve access to justice for all, and provide financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.