Grace Chamoun Taranto Presented with Blank Rome’s Inaugural Pro Bono Rising Star Award
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that associate Grace Chamoun Taranto was presented with the firm’s inaugural Pro Bono Rising Star Award, which recognizes an associate whose dedication to pro bono has had a tremendous impact on pro bono clients and the firm. During the course of her career at Blank Rome, Grace has been an active member of the firm’s pro bono program and has worked on many pro bono matters, including domestic violence cases and military appeals.
Notably, in early 2020, Grace joined a Blank Rome team that assisted a former veteran in a military sexual trauma case through the Veterans Legal Services Program. Their client is a gay, Black man who served in the military during the early 1980s. During his service, the client faced severe homophobia and racism, and was sexually assaulted by both a commanding officer and a bunkmate. The trauma led him to go AWOL, which later resulted in a dishonorable discharge. This status prevented him from obtaining gainful employment, and his life for the past 40 years involved homelessness, drug abuse, and countless struggles. Thanks to Grace’s efforts and the efforts of her team, the client’s discharge was upgraded to an honorable discharge, he received over $100,000 in back pay, and he will now receive stable monthly retirement payments for the rest of his life.
