Preg O’Donnell Associate David E. Chawes has been named as the November 2013 Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month by the King County Bar Association. On behalf of a pro bono client, Mr. Chawes filed an appeal of a hearing examiner’s denial of benefits due the client under the Railroad Retirement Act. The Railroad Retirement Board, in a 2-1 decision, affirmed the hearing examiner’s decision. Mr. Chawes then petitioned the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for discretionary review of the Board’s decision. The Ninth Circuit accepted the case and issued a 2-1 opinion reversing the Board’s decision and awarding full benefits to the client. The published Ninth Circuit decision may be read at Stephens v. U.S. Railroad Retirement Bd., 704 F.3d 587 (9th Cir. 2012).
For the KCBA Bar Bulletin article about Mr. Chawes, see http://www.kcba.org/newsevents/barbulletin/archive/2013/11/vom.htm
