CHICAGO, October 15, 2004 — On Election Day 2004, all attorneys of the Chicago firm Hurley McKenna & Mertz (HMM) will be in Florida — not taking depositions or trying a case, but serving as volunteers for the 2004 Voter Protection program, an effort of the Democratic National Committee’s Voting Rights Institute.

Partners Christopher T. Hurley, Mark McKenna, and Michael Mertz, and associate Michael Keating signed on to work in this battleground state to make sure the polls are opened, staffed, and operating properly, and that all lawfully registered voters are allowed the right to cast their ballots during the election.

The HMM lawyers also will serve as observers at the polls and will be poised to report any attempts to suppress voter turnout. They will be part of a nationwide, grassroots effort to protect voters from intimidation, instances of election mismanagement, or unlawful voter challenges.

Founding partner Chris Hurley noted, “We consider it our duty as lawyers and citizens to do what we can to protect the fundamental right to vote.” The four attorneys will be in Florida for four days working in Broward County. “Florida and many other states,” Hurley continued, “still need more attorney volunteers to assist in this voter protection effort. Our lawyers decided as a group that we were not going to sit idle on Election Day when there was a chance we could contribute to a fair election by helping people exercise their right to vote.”

Lawyers who wish to volunteer or want more information about the 2004 Voter Protection program can contact Edward Dorsey at eddorseyma@yahoo.com