We routinely partner with industry and community leaders to provide pro bono services to those in need in the communities in which we work and live.

Examples of our efforts include:

Asylum cases

We represent individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries and legally seeking asylum in the United States – individuals who may be eligible for protection under the laws that govern asylum in our country.

Entrepreneur law projects

We assist low- to moderate-income micro-entrepreneurs and nonprofits in various business pursuits. Our lawyers volunteer their services providing legal counsel on such business issues as drafting contracts, negotiating commercial leases and protecting intellectual property, including filing patent and trademark applications. We also assist in obtaining nonprofit tax status and amending bylaws and charters.

Death penalty defense

Our lawyers in several US offices have handled appeals for death row inmates, involving issues such as the application of the death penalty to those with intellectual disabilities and to foreign nationals under international treaties.

Accountability for human rights violations

In a historic decision, our lawyers successfully represented a Somali torture survivor in his claim against a member of the former Somali dictatorship's National Security Service who ordered and supervised his torture and arbitrary detention decades earlier. The colonel, now living in the US, was found liable for human rights violations, and the US federal district court awarded damages in the amount of US$15 million.

Together with the Center for Justice and Accountability, our lawyers also secured a US$28 million verdict for the family of slain Chilean folk singer Victor Jara against the general, now living in the US, who had ordered Mr. Jara's torture and murder by military personnel in 1973. 

Volunteer lawyer programs

We participate in volunteer lawyer programs affiliated with local bar associations around the country to represent low-income citizens in various types of civil and family law disputes. For example, we have obtained temporary restraining orders for victims of domestic violence, represented foster children at permanency review hearings and handled various custody and visitation disputes.

Legal advice clinics

We have partnered with many clients to organize and participate in law clinics, such as assisting first responders in drafting wills and helping military veterans with various legal issues, including benefits disputes. Likewise, we have joined with a number of other companies to offer pro bono clinics covering a variety of legal issues faced by individuals at or near the poverty line.

In addition to pro bono clinics, our lawyers work within the business community on various types of matters for specific pro bono clients. For example, we have worked with a global computer company's in-house legal department to counsel nonprofits on intellectual property matters. We are also currently working with an international energy company’s in-house law department on a federal habeas corpus appeal for a mentally disabled death row inmate.

In New York, our pro bono activities include a 16-month fellowship at The Door’s Legal Service Center: A Center of Alternatives, a multi-service youth development center that serves over 10,000 young people each year.

Our firm is committed to pro bono service, and is always looking for new opportunities to join community partners on projects that advance our commitment to access to justice initiatives.

Learn more about our pro bono services

To become more involved with our US pro bono activities and learn more about our services, reach out to a local member of the firm's Pro Bono Committee.