(PARSIPPANY, October 9, 2013)-- Day Pitney is pleased to announce that partner Paul Marino has been named a recipient of the 2013 New Jersey State Bar Association Pro Bono Award. Mr. Marino is being recognized by the State Bar for his work in expanding Day Pitney's pro bono program to benefit young adults with developmental disabilities in guardianship proceedings. The bar association said he is being recognized for his "personal conviction and professional commitment to make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities."

The bar association will present the award at their Sixth Annual Pro Bono Conference on October 29 in New Brunswick, NJ.

Mr. Marino created and serves as the captain of the component of Day Pitney's pro bono program in which Day Pitney attorneys act as court-appointed representatives of incapacitated persons in guardianship proceedings in New Jersey. Since the program's inception in January 2012, Day Pitney has had 20 attorneys, six paralegals, and 13 Summer Associates provide services in connection with this pro bono program. Mr. Marino has been the court-appointed attorney on four cases in Sussex County, and has supervised the other 31 cases in Hudson County.

He has also participated extensively in the firm's pro bono program assisting Holocaust survivors with applications for reparations from the German Government.

"We are proud that Paul is being honored for his tireless work to help deserving people in need," said Day Pitney partner Helen Harris, chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee. "His vision and dedication in creating a new segment of the firm's pro bono program to help improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities have inspired many other lawyers at the firm to also contribute their time. This project is a great example of the firm's broader commitment to pro bono work."

Mr. Marino was also a recipient of Day Pitney's Coleman Awards earlier this year. The Coleman Awards are given by the firm annually to lawyers whose commitment to pro bono work and public service exemplify the best ideals of the legal profession and the legacy of Cyril Coleman, a former Day Pitney partner who served many public institutions and causes and was known for his dignity, common sense and integrity.

Last year, the firm donated over 9,000 pro bono hours on behalf of numerous low income individuals and a wide array of deserving not for profit organizations. This year, through June, the firm has donated over 5,500 pro bono hours.

Mr. Marino was also selected as one of New Jersey Law Journal's "New Leaders of the Bar" earlier this year in recognition of his pro bono work.

Mr. Marino represents businesses in commercial disputes and has substantial experience in the federal district courts of New York and New Jersey litigating franchise, contract and securities matters, as well as consumer class actions. His practice focuses on the representation of business entities that manufacture and/or license products and services, such as franchisors, licensors and manufacturers, in litigation with the business entities that use their trademarks and service marks and/or distribute their products and services to the public. Mr. Marino has experience handling such matters in a variety of industries including hotel, car rental, vacation exchange, food services, hair and cosmetics, tax preparation, and real estate brokerage. His work also include representation of corporations and their officers and directors in the defense of actions brought pursuant to federal and state securities laws. In addition, Mr. Marino has experience with contested probate matters and is a member of the firm's Probate Litigation practice group.

About Day Pitney

Day Pitney LLP is a full-service law firm with close to 300 attorneys in Boston, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, DC. The firm offers clients strong corporate and litigation practices, with experience on behalf of large national and international corporations as well as emerging and middle-market companies and individuals.