Blaine Sanders Recognized for Outstanding Pro Bono Efforts

Robinson Bradshaw attorney Blaine Sanders received the Mecklenburg Bar Association’s 2026 Outstanding Individual Attorney pro bono award at last week’s Law & Society Gala, and he will receive the North Carolina Bar Association’s 2026 Thorp Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award at the annual meeting in June.

“Blaine serves as a humble ‘servant leader’ in many areas of his life, but in none more prevalent than his passion for pro bono work.” said Julian Wright, Robinson Bradshaw’s director of pro bono services.

The Outstanding Individual Attorney pro bono award honors an attorney who has contributed extraordinary service to the provision of pro bono services to people in need, children or nonprofit organizations. The Thorp Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award recognizes an attorney who has provided ongoing, substantial legal services without charge to a client who could otherwise not afford counsel.

Sanders served as Robinson Bradshaw’s first director of pro bono services from 2021 to 2024, where he connected lawyers of all experience levels with pro bono opportunities that address many different needs. Under his leadership, Robinson Bradshaw attorneys and paralegals completed more than 17,000 hours of pro bono work, including 1,515 hours from Sanders himself.

In addition, Sanders serves as outside general counsel to Alexander Youth Network, supporting the organization and its 500-plus employees in taking care of children with serious emotional and behavioral problems who come from low-income families.

“These awards are a testament to Blaine’s enduring commitment to serving those in our community who often need it the most,” said Managing Partner Stephen Cox.

For nearly 40 years, Sanders maintained a litigation practice that included commercial, real estate, intellectual property, employment, and sports and entertainment law, along with asbestos products liability. He frequently resolved complex commercial and real estate disputes. Sanders earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University, where he was a Patrick Wilson Scholar. He received his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Davidson College.