LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is presenting the firm with its 2006 Pro Bono Services Award in recognition of its recent partnership with LAFLA to represent low-income tenants facing eviction.

The award will be presented at LAFLA's "Access to Justice Dinner" on October 17 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza.

"We are honored to be recognized by LAFLA," said Scott Edelman, the Chair of Gibson Dunn's Pro Bono Committee. "LAFLA performs a critical function in the community, providing direct services to the underrepresented in Los Angeles. We're proud to work with its attorneys and staff."

Gibson Dunn has worked with LAFLA for a number of years, and recently, under the leadership of Los Angeles partner and LAFLA board member James Fogelman, has partnered with LAFLA to assume responsibility for a significant number of the legal aid organization's unlawful detainer cases.

"Tenants without legal representation almost never prevail in court, even if they have a strong case," said Victor Geminiani, executive director of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. "With this innovative eviction defense partnership, poor people in need who we'd otherwise have to turn away for lack of resources will get high-quality legal representation. At the same time, Gibson Dunn's associates will get legal training and practical trial experience. It's a win-win for the firm and our clients."

About Gibson Dunn's Pro Bono Efforts

Gibson Dunn's commitment to community service and pro bono work has always been an important hallmark of the firm's culture. The firm's history is rich with examples of Gibson Dunn attorneys serving their communities through diverse pro bono and community service activities. The firm strongly encourages all attorneys to continue this tradition and work on pro bono matters and work closely with community groups throughout their careers with the firm.

About The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) is the frontline law firm for the poor in metropolitan Los Angeles. LAFLA is committed to promoting access to justice, strengthening communities, fighting discrimination, and effecting systemic change through representation, advocacy and community education. In 2005, LAFLA assisted over 13,200 low-income clients escape domestic violence, avoid homelessness, obtain food and health care for themselves and their children, and move from welfare to work. Nearly 50% of LAFLA's annual caseload deals with the rights of low-income tenants and the conditions of housing for low-income people.

About Gibson Dunn

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is a leading international law firm. Consistently ranking among the world's top law firms in industry surveys and major publications, Gibson Dunn is distinctively positioned in today's global marketplace with 800 lawyers and 13 offices, including Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Palo Alto, London, Paris, Munich, Brussels, Orange County, Century City, Dallas and Denver. For more information, please visit www.gibsondunn.com.