Media Contact: Jillian Dimaano
415.543.3303 x114; jillian@kidneynca.org; www.kidneynca.org

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The National Kidney Foundation of Northern California & Northern Nevada (NKF) presented the Champions of Hope Awards at the Foundation's annual Golden Gala on Saturday, March 29 at the Hotel Nikko. Bay Area-based law firm Cooley Godward Kronish LLP received the Champion of Hope Corporate Award for its extraordinary pro bono legal support of NKF and its programs for people with Chronic Kidney Disease and their families.

"Cooley Godward Kronish is an amazing champion of hope for all the thousands of people with kidney disease who depend on the National Kidney Foundation for patient programs and education," said Chris Kelley, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Northern California and Northern Nevada. "The National Kidney Foundation is very grateful for their support and I am very pleased to present this award to Mark Pitchford, Cooley's Chief Operating Officer, who is accepting it on behalf of the Firm," said Kelley.

"Cooley and NKF have forged a synergistic and mutually beneficial relationship over the span of at least 15 years," said Pitchford. "Over that time we are confident that we have aided the advancement and accomplishment of the NKF's mission, and we have been able to advance our own goal of helping others in our communities to live better lives."

Cooley's 650 attorneys have an entrepreneurial spirit and deep, substantive experience, and are committed to solving clients' most challenging legal matters. From small companies with big ideas to international enterprises with diverse legal needs, Cooley has the breadth of legal resources to enable companies of all sizes to seize opportunities in today's global marketplace. The Firm represents clients across a broad array of dynamic industry sectors, including technology, life sciences, financial services, retail and energy.

The Firm has full-service offices in major commercial, government and technology centers nationwide: Palo Alto, CA, New York, NY, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Reston, VA, Broomfield, CO, Washington, DC and Boston, MA.

The National Kidney Foundation of Northern California assists thousands of kidney patients throughout the area. Programs include financial aid, kids' summer camp, research fellowships, organ donor information, college scholarships, patients' seminars and professional and public education. For more information, please visit www.kidneynca.org.