McCarter & English partner Penelope Taylor has been named the 2026 recipient of the Essex County Bar Association’s Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award. The award recognizes attorneys, law firms, and other legal professionals who improve access to legal services and enhance human dignity by aiding vulnerable populations in the Essex County community.
A partner in the firm’s litigation practice, Penny has volunteered with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) since 2013. Through her pro bono work with VLJ, she has provided legal services to nearly 100 clients. Penny has played a central role in VLJ’s Tenancy Program and Debt Relief Legal Program, helping clients facing eviction and debt-related legal issues, and also represents clients at the VLJ Divorce Clinic. One of her early cases involved negotiating a reduction in medical debt for a client with a serious illness, along with a manageable payment plan for the remaining debt.
“Penny Taylor is a shining example of a great pro bono volunteer. She has been a consistent volunteer for years, helping many along the way. She not only gives her own time, but she provides the mentorship to other attorneys that is critical to successful pro bono representation. Having watched her in a clinic setting in the past, I saw firsthand how she approached pro bono clients with kindness and curiosity. She is a great creative problem solver. She gives her best to pro bono clients, and they reap the benefits of having not just free legal services but excellent legal services,” said Allison Nolan, Managing Attorney of the VLJ Tenancy Program.
“Penny’s pro bono work is inspiring. She treats every client with care and compassion, guiding them through their options and toward the decision that’s right for them. Her blend of creativity, practical problem-solving, and genuine empathy make even the toughest challenges more manageable for those she represents. Penny also trains and mentors junior attorneys, expanding the corps of attorneys ready to assist our neighbors in need. Her steady commitment, collaborative spirit, and leadership strengthen pro bono efforts across the firm and beyond,” said Michelle Pallak, Pro Bono Partner at McCarter & English.
Penny is an experienced litigator who represents financial services clients in complex commercial litigation, class actions, mass torts, and arbitration matters. She has handled cases in state and federal courts in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and other jurisdictions.
The Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award will be presented at the Essex County Bar Association’s 2026 Annual Installation and Awards Reception.