By Daily Press staff
A local resident involved in many community issues was recently recognized as an attorney of excellence.
Neil Carrey received the inaugural Henry Gilchrist Award for Attorney Excellence at the firm’s annual shareholder’s retreat in The Woodlands, Texas. Carrey, a Corporate and ERISA attorney, was selected for his outstanding contributions inside and outside the firm, officials said.
During the awards presentation, Carrey was praised for both his professional skills and his personal demeanor.
“Neil Carrey displays the values and the qualities that every great lawyer should strive for,” said Bill Parrish, a Jenkens national board member. “He always has a smile on his face and he represents a wonderful ambassador for the firm, here at Jenkens and in the community.”
Named after Henry Gilchrist, one of the firm’s namesakes, the award recognizes superior achievements on behalf of the firm’s clients as well as the communities in which the firm operates. Gilchrist, now in his 80s, is still practicing full-time as a corporate and securities attorney in the firm’s Dallas office. He is recognized as the consummate gentleman lawyer and a role model for attorneys throughout the firm.
Outside of his legal career, which spans more than three decades, among a number of charitable and civic activities, Carrey is president of the board for Padres Contra El Cancer, a non-profit organization that serves economically-disadvantaged Latino children and their families dealing with cancer. He also is vice-president of the Georgia based Ivan & Sam Foundation, helping children with cancer; is on the board of the Small Business Council of America, is on the Advisors Council of the Cancer and Blood Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles; is a past president of the Santa Monica Police Activities League and is a Recreation and Parks Commissioner for the city of Santa Monica. Carrey and his wife Karen lost their 16-year-old son, Chris, to cancer in 2000.
“This award is particularly meaningful to me because it not only recognizes me as an attorney, but more importantly recognizes my passion for helping others, especially economically disadvantaged youth and children with cancer,” Carrey said.
Jenkens & Gilchrist has nearly 500 attorneys nationwide.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 13, 2004. Read the original PDF.