On June 14, 2001 Managing Partner William Lee presented the inaugural Paul P. Brountas Award for Extraordinary Contributions to Hale and Dorr LLP to James Lampert, partner and chair of the Intellectual Property Department. The Paul P. Brountas award recognizes the special contributions of an individual to the firm.

During his remarks, Mr. Lee stated, "...the success of the firm depends on those who do more than the base line. We depend on those whose loyalty, dedication and effort on behalf of the firm goes far beyond what is expected. Those are the individuals who drive us to where we are. Those are the individuals without whom we would be a different and less significant lace."

"Our first recipient is someone who actually joined us laterally, with a green eye shade and with a lot of skepticism from everyone about what the heck he was doing here. Notwithstanding the high hill to climb, he persevered. He demonstrated his own extraordinary practice skills. He demonstrated the importance of his own practice area. He then slowly but surely built a department, one very good lawyer at a time, until he had constructed one of the best groups at any general practice firm in he country. He became a recognized leader of the firm. He accomplished all this with the same unusual qualities and commitment that Paul has brought to us: With great dedication, with extraordinary effort, with unwavering loyalty, with the highest level of skill, and with partnership and friendship always in mind."

Hale and Dorr has created awards that recognize unique contributions of an individual to the firm. To that end, the firm has previously awarded the James Draper St. Clair Award for Professional Excellence and the Reginald Heber Smith Award for Community Service. Last year, Hale and Dorr created and awarded the Jerome P. Facher Award for Excellence in Training.