Last night, Day Pitney Senior Associate Rosendo Garza, Jr., accepted one of The Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Awards for 2023 from the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) at its Annual Awards Celebration. Garza was one of four recipients being recognized for their demonstrated dedication to the provision of pro bono legal services to those in need, without expectation of payment.

The award is named in honor of the Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo, who tirelessly fought for fundamental fairness and championed the legal rights of the poor and accused. The award recognizes CBA members who are not employed by a legal aid or similar nonprofit organization.

"As both a lawyer and a member of the U.S. military, I have garnered a great appreciation for what it means to serve others. I am grateful for both the recognition from the CBA and the opportunity to continue to assist those in need of legal assistance through my continued pro bono work," said Garza.

Over the years, Garza has served many pro bono clients with tireless passion and commitment. As a way to honor his military service, he serves on the Board of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center. He has represented military veterans in landlord-tenant matters and in obtaining impactful discharge upgrades. He has also successfully represented a client in an appeal before the Second Circuit, where he argued on behalf of the client's constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment while incarcerated. Garza represented a young Ecuadorian mother, helping her regain custody of her son under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. In addition, he has represented vulnerable Connecticut children in abuse and neglect matters through Lawyers for Children America, Inc. Currently, Garza is helping an Afghan refugee seeking asylum through the Connecticut Afghan Asylum Project. In 2018, he was a recipient of Day Pitney's Coleman Award for his exemplary dedication to pro bono work.

"Rosendo has a deep understanding of service, and he has made it an integral part of his everyday life as both an attorney through his pro bono work and his service as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. It is an honor to work with him as he builds his practice at the firm and serves as a role model demonstrating how attorneys can give back to our communities through meaningful pro bono work," said Theresa Kelly, chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee.

Garza, a Hartford-based attorney in the firm's Energy Practice, handles a variety of energy matters, focusing on the wholesale power markets. He represents clients in proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Energy (DOE), and federal courts. He is a member of the team of lawyers serving as general counsel to the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL), and regularly provides counsel on the design and operation of the region's wholesale electric markets. In addition to currently serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Garza served three tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan as an infantry officer.

Garza earned his A.B. from the University of Chicago and his J.D., with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association and Northeast Energy and Commerce Association (NECA), Power Markets Committee. Garza is also a member of the board of directors at the Chrysalis Center.