Attorney In Basking Ridge Mosque Case Donates All Fees To Charity

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Patterson Belknap has now donated all of the attorneys’ fees it received in the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge vs. Bernards Township case, minus disbursements, to a variety of charities.

The money was also used to create scholarships for Muslim American law students.

Belknap represented the ISBR in a civil rights suit brought before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, regarding the denial of planning permission to build a mosque.

The ISBR ultimately received $3.25 million from Brnards Township in damages and attorney fees as well as the right to build the mosque. (See Related: Mosque Will Be Built In Basking Ridge, Town Must Pay $3.25M)

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP announced the establishment of the David F. Dobbins Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of their former partner and friend who died in 2017.

"Throughout his long career, Dave fought for the civil rights of vulnerable populations in state and federal courts, making the Scholarship a fitting tribute to his legacy," the firm stated in a release.

The Scholarship Fund will be administered by the Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF), an organization that works to increase American Muslim presence in public policy, social justice and media related professions.

The scholarship will comprise of two $10,000 awards to be granted annually to law students who are American Muslim or actively involved in the American Muslim community.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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