5 December 20222 minute read

DLA Piper’s Mike Bedke receives 2022 “General James A. Peake Award” by Bay Area Legal Services

DLA Piper is pleased to announce that partner Mike Bedke has been named the 2022 “General James A. Peake Award” recipient by Bay Area Legal Services. The award was presented to Bedke at the Bay Area Legal Services’ annual Champions for Justice Donor Appreciation event.

Each year, Bay Area Legal Services presents the “General James A. Peake Award” to those who have gone above and beyond to help expand and improve the delivery of legal services to veterans.

Bedke, head of DLA Piper’s Miami Real Estate practice, serves on Bay Area Legal’s Board of Directors and played a key role in the organization’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2017, which raised the funds to launch the Major General Ernest A. and Marilyn Bedke Veterans Law Center and its supporting endowment. Bedke also championed legislative funding to launch the Florida Veterans Legal Helpline, which has served veterans facing legal challenges across the state since 2019. 

In addition, Bedke helps promote services to veterans such as the Bay Area Legal’s Medical-Legal Partnerships, providing direct service to veterans onsite at local VA hospitals and resource centers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Bedke also serves as a member of the organization’s Veterans Major Gifts Committee to ensure the future advancement of these crucial initiatives. 

At DLA Piper, Bedke represents clients in all aspects of real estate and commercial financing work. He has significant experience with data center leasing and acquisitions and has been at the forefront of sustainability through his advocacy of high-speed rail, light rail, commuter rail, transportation-oriented development, his work on inland port projects, his lecturing on green leases and the WELL building standard and in his role as general counsel to Earth Charter US. 

Bedke said: “I am proud to be recognized by Bay Area Legal Services, an organization that has made an impact on the lives of so many, and am honored to play a role in providing veterans with the meaningful civil legal services they deserve.”