Discover Financial Services has been selected as the 2015 recipient of the Scott C. Solberg Pro Bono award presented by the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services. The award honors Discover for its exemplary commitment to pro bono services in the state of Illinois.

The Scott C. Solberg Pro Bono Award honors law firms, corporations or attorneys who display a strong commitment to the fundamental principles of equal protection and equal justice in the community through outstanding pro bono service. Last year, Discover partnered with organizations such as the Lawndale Christian Legal Center and the Woodlawn Legal Clinic to help provide counsel to people in underserved indigent communities on a variety of legal issues ranging from evictions to family law matters.

"Providing legal services to those in need mirrors our core values of doing the right thing, respect and volunteerism," said Kelly McNamara Corley, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Discover. "Pro bono services provide crucial assistance to marginalized communities and underserved populations -- such as children and the elderly -- who are often denied access to justice. We are honored to receive this award from the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services and will continue to look for ways in which we can offer our services to those in need."

Discover focuses on education-based pro bono opportunities that contain a legal or consumer protection component. These initiatives included Chicago Legal Prep’s Academy Negotiations Program, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Lawyers in the Classroom.

The committee also recognized Discover for the legal services it gave to Legal Aid Society clients through programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Human Trafficking Initiatives.

"We are thrilled to honor Discover Financial Services with the 2015 Corporate Pro Bono Award for their exemplary commitment to pro bono service to the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services and throughout Illinois,” says Karina Ayala-Bermejo, Esq., Executive Director, the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services and EVP & General Counsel, Metropolitan Family Services. “Discover has provided direct legal services to Legal Aid Society clients via the Human Trafficking Initiative among other programs. We are very impressed with the breadth and strength of its pro bono program, and how the company has made volunteerism a vital part of its culture."

The award was presented to Discover at the Legal Aid Society's annual Equal Access to Justice Awards Luncheon on Oct. 7 in Chicago.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services

The Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services (LAS) pioneered the concept of equal access to justice more than 125 years ago. LAS provides critical legal services to low-income families in the Chicago area, protecting them in cases of domestic violence, elder abuse, housing and consumer issues, and human trafficking. Today LAS serves more than 8,000 families and individuals each year.

LAS is part of Metropolitan Family Services, which has been empowering Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities since 1857. www.metrofamily.org