(Pictured: Jon Comstock, Volunteer Attorney of the Year for Benton County)
In observance of Law Day, May 1, 2010, Legal Aid of Arkansas announces that Jon Comstock of Bentonville has been chosen Volunteer Attorney of the Year for Benton County. The award recognizes exemplary achievement and outstanding volunteerism. Comstock donated over 100 hours of pro bono service during 2009. Comstock’s donation has a value of $15,000 to the county.
Comstock serves on the Board of Directors of Legal Aid of Arkansas and is an active member of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission’s Pro Bono Committee.
“Jon Comstock is a tireless friend of Arkansas’s legal aid community,” said Prof. Chuck Goldner, chair of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission. “He was especially helpful during the 2009 Promise of Justice Campaign, which raised more than $300,000 for the two legal aid programs in our state. Because of Jon’s hard work, we had multiple corporate contributions, including a $50,000 gift from the Wal-Mart Legal Department and a $50,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation.”
Brad Karren, Rogers District Court Judge stated, “Jon’s legal wisdom and experience is surpassed only by his amazing humility.”
Comstock served as Division Chairman for the Promise of Justice Campaign. This campaign, under the auspices of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission, has two goals: to raise funds to support legal aid in Arkansas and to increase the number of pro bono participating attorneys. Comstock traveled across the state in support of the campaign, giving his own time and money to the effort. He also serves on the pro bono committee for Wal-Mart, developing a strategy for promoting corporate pro bono work. For many years he has worked with the Association for Corporate Counsel and more recently with the Corporate Section of the Arkansas Bar Association to develop successful strategies for promoting pro bono service in the state.
Lee Richardson, Executive Director of Legal Aid of Arkansas, says, “Jon is a true humanitarian. He has been a tenacious advocate for the cause of Equal Access to Justice. As a result of his efforts, hundreds of Arkansans who might have otherwise been stranded outside the Courthouse door will now have access to legal representation.”
Since 1994, Comstock has been a member of Wal-Mart’s Legal Department, after serving Wal-Mart in an outside trial counsel relationship for over ten years. He currently provides broad legal support to Wal-Mart’s Security, Risk and Compliance group within its Information Systems business division, facilitating the direction of the company’s data security posture and development of a comprehensive data security program. His support to Wal-Mart’s Global Privacy Office is all-encompassing, ranging from policy development to the assessment of appropriate IT controls to assure consistent execution of policy goals. Prior to his current role, Comstock was lead attorney to Wal-Mart’s in-house litigation group responsible for civil litigation.
Kerry Kotouc, Associate General Counsel, Corporate Affairs/Government Relations of Wal-Mart says, "Jon's contributions to Legal Aid exemplify Wal-Mart's commitment to serving in the communities where we do business."
Comstock is a past recipient of the League of United Latin American Citizens Amigo Award. He is a member of the Department of Justice Pro Bono Panel for the Bureau of Immigration Appeals and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Judicature Society’s Advisory Council, presently serving as Treasurer of AJS.
Susan M. Purtle, Pro Bono Manager/Senior Attorney at Legal Aid of Arkansas says, “Jon is a dedicated twenty-year veteran of the Benton County Bar’s Equal Access to Justice Panel. Jon lends his talent, energy and expertise to every task he undertakes. This dedicated advocacy produces spectacular results for clients, the Bar, and the community. Jon has been a leader for corporate pro bono in the Wal-Mart Legal Department, working with the General Counsel, Jeff Gearhart and former Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Legal Department Administration, Susan Klooz, to ensure that everyone in Arkansas has equal access to justice.”
Comstock is married to Stephanie Ensinger, and he has two children and two stepchildren. He is a strong supporter of the United Way, the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter and Children’s Miracle Network.
Legal Aid of Arkansas is a nonprofit corporation with a vision to improve the lives of low-income Arkansans by championing equal access to justice regardless of economic or social circumstances. Legal Aid provides free legal help with civil matters to those who qualify. If you or someone you know needs help with a legal problem, has questions for a lawyer, has been sued, or doesn’t know where to turn, call the Legal Aid Hotline at 1-800-952-9243.
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