Pro Bono All-Stars

PRO BONO *ALL-STARS* WHAT IS PRO BONO WORK? Pro bono comes from the Latin phrase "pro bono publico," meaning "for the public good." In the legal context, it Charity work done by A gift and an ethical generally means the provision of legal The legal community those with a obligation. in the United States particular expertise, on behalf of those significantly reduced who cannot afford to help themselves. has participated in pro bono work since services on a free or before the fee basis, Revolution, WHAT IS THE PRO BONO CHALLENGE? The challenge is a commitment by the world's largest law firms to provide pro bono legal service to disadvantaged people and nonprofit groups. TOP 5 PRO BONO ALL-STARS: According to the AmLaw 100 Pro Bono rankings: I. Covington & Burling 30,633 192 65.9 105.2 Total pro bono hours by U.S. lawyers. Number of lawyers with more than 20 pro bono hours. Percentage of lawyers with more than 20 pro bono hours. Average pro bono hours per lawyer. Yes No Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge? Yes No Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm? Designations: Designated as a Pro Bono Firm of the Year in both 2010 and 2012 for its dedication to pro bono service by Law360. Covington & Burling eamed the Champion of Justice Award in 2012 from the Chinese American Citizens Alliance for pushing along legislation that addressed regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and other oppressive laws restricting the immigration of Chinese people. 2. Jenner & Block 39,624 243 64.5 105.1 Number of lawyers Total pro bono hours by U.S. lawyers. Percentage of lawyers with more than 20 pro bono Average pro bono hours per lawyer. with more than 20 pro bono hours. hours. Yes No Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge? Yes No Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm? Designations: No. 1 law firm in the country for pro bono service in 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 1998 by The American Lawyer magazine. Pro Bono Firm of 2012, 2011 and 2010 by Law360 for its "devotion to pro bono work in tough times." NOTABLE CASE People v. Juan A. Rivera, Jr.: Helped to overturn a conviction in the long-running and high-profile criminal defense case in Lake County, Illinois. Mr. Rivera, the client, was released after serving 19 years in prison after a three-judge panel unanimously reversed his first-degree murder conviction, holding that "the State's evidence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." Subsequently, the Lake County State's Attorney did not appeal and the client was released. 3. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (known as WilmerHale) 23,702 161 67.4 99.2 Number of lawyers Total pro bono hours by U.S. lawyers. Percentage of lawyers with more than 20 pro bono hours. Average pro bono hours per lawyer. with more than 20 pro bono hours. Yes No Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge? Yes No Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm? Designations: Law360 named WilmerHale one of its Pro Bono Firms of the Year for the firm's work on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) with the Massachusetts Attorney General and its work in advancing the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011. 2011 Beacon of Justice Award from the National Legal Aid and Devender Association (NLADA) for "innovative public-private partnerships that protect equal justice for all through Appellate Litigation." 4. Debevoise & Plimpton 33,460 189 52 93.5 Number of lawyers Total pro bono hours by U.S. lawyers. Percentage of lawyers with more than 20 pro bono Average pro bono hours per lawyer. with more than 20 pro bono hours. hours. Yes No Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge? Yes No Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm? Designations: Ranked among the top ten firms on The American Lawyer's A-List every year since the list's inception for its commitment to pro bono work. Pro Bono Firm of 2012 by Law360 for committing a significant number of attorney hours and securing major victories in high-profile matters. NOTABLE CASE Teaming up with Sanctuary for Families, the firm was successful in reuniting a mother and her 2-year-old son after her husband took him to live with family abroad in an attempt to permanently separate them. The firm continues to represent the mother, a legal immigrant, in her divorce and immigration cases. 5. Arnold & Porter 39,373 221 51.7 92 Total pro bono hours by U.S. lawyers. Number of lawyers with more than 20 Percentage of lawyers with more than 20 pro bono hours. Average pro bono hours per lawyer. pro bono hours. Yes No Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge? Yes No Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm? 15% of the firm's time is spent on pro bono matters and at least one pro bono matter each year. Designations: ABA Death Penalty Representation Project Exceptional Service Award. National Legal Aid & Defender Association Beacon of Justice Award in recognition of Innovative Public-Private Partnerships. NOTABLE CASE In an emergency appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme court, the firm fully briefed, argued and obtained a unanimous reversal on a new Photo ID law adopted in March 2012 by Pennsylvania. The law threatened to prevent approximately 1.3 million qualified voters from having their votes counted in the November 2012 elections because they lacked one of a few acceptable photo IDs under the new law and could not obtain one without substantial burdens. The firm obtained an order preventing Pennsylvania from denying the right to vote in the November 2012 elections and continues to fight to protect all people's right to vote. * 20 lawyers * 10 hours * 4,000 hours SOURCES http://www.nationalprobono.org.au/page.asp?from=3&id=189 http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/08/in-defense-of-pro-bono-legal-service-whatever-form-it-takes/261465/ http://www.probono.net/ http://www.probonoinst.org/projects/law-firm-pro-bono/law-firm-pro-bono-challenge/ http://www.law.com/special/professionals/amlaw/amlaw100/amlawioo_pro-bono html http://www.vault.com/productaspxisbn=9781581318920 Vault Guide to Law Firm Pro Bono Programs, 2013 Edition LLM -info.com Created by OBizMedia DX DX DX DX