WASHINGTON-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hellerman Baretz Communications (HBC), a leader in providing communications advice to many of the world’s leading law, consulting, and financial services firms, was awarded a MarCom Gold Award, honoring firms that “exceed the high standards of industry norm” in executing successful communication plans.

HBC received the award for its work on behalf of the law firm of Weil Gotshal & Manges. In order to raise awareness of Weil Gotshal’s pro bono work to secure veterans’ benefits, HBC created a PR-based communications plan that resulted in a three-part feature series in American Legion Magazine, highlighting the law firm’s attorneys and their client. Ultimately, the matter led to the House of Representatives passing the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 3082), which substantially increased funding for veterans’ health care and construction of training and housing facilities for the U.S. military.

“We are honored to have worked with Weil Gotshal to highlight this very important issue and the firm’s commitment to supporting our country’s veterans,” said John Hellerman, Co-Founder of Hellerman Baretz Communications. “This was a great example of savvy attorneys using PR as a tool to help their clients achieve their goals, and we’re thrilled MarCom recognized our efforts.”

A case study and reprints of the American Legion Magazine series can be found online at: http://www.hellermanbaretz.com/successes_study_07.htm.

The MarCom Awards (www.marcomawards.com) are sponsored by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals and remain one of the industry’s leading awards programs. The 2009 Gold Award is the second time HBC has been honored by MarCom, having won a Gold Award in 2007 for its innovative work with law firm Ford & Harrison and the creation and promotion of their award winning blog, That’s What She Said.

Since its founding in 2002, HBC has won more than a dozen industry awards for its work, including honors from PR Week, the Legal Marketing Association, Bulldog Reporter, The Communicator, and PR News, which also named John Hellerman Agency Executive of the Year in 2008.

Working with the world’s leading law firms, consulting firms, and financial services companies, Hellerman Baretz Communications (www.hellermanbaretz.com) creates PR-based business development campaigns that turn professionals’ expertise into new business opportunities.