Morgan Lewis offices have a long tradition of community service. The following are examples of the types of organizations and programs we are proud to support:
National Constitution Center
Morgan Lewis is the Founding Legal Sponsor of the National Constitution Center, located on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. The National Constitution Center is dedicated to educating our citizens about the Constitution and its significant impact on all of our lives. Morgan Lewis pledged $600,000 in cash and services to this project and led the "Power of an Hour" campaign through which law firms were requested to contribute the cash equivalent of one billable hour for each of their lawyers.
The Committee of Seventy
On Election Day, Morgan Lewis volunteers answered Philadelphia voters’ election day calls to The Committee of Seventy, a not-for-profit, non-partisan political watchdog organization, at the Committee’s headquarters. Volunteers also participated in roving teams, providing "watchdog" support at citywide polling places.
Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts
As part of the pro bono efforts of Morgan Lewis’ Washington office, we have served as the primary outside counsel for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts since June 1999. Most recently, we have worked to create a unique tax-exempt partnership, comprised of the School’s fund raising arm, the Duke Ellington Fund, the Kennedy Center and The George Washington University. This alliance has not only fortified the academic and artistic opportunities for students at the School, but the partners have also recently joined with the D.C. Public School System to create a national model for public education in the performing arts.
Morgan Lewis Tutoring Program
Many Morgan Lewis employees, including attorneys and staff, work with students (ages 6-11) from the Learning Is Fun and Enjoyable (LIFE) program. The students travel to our cafeteria once a week and our tutors work with the students on homework, school projects, reading and educational games. In addition to tutoring, we host a holiday party, several pizza parties, dramatic readings, and field trips to cultural and educational institutions such as the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Franklin Institute and the Zoo.
The Northern Virginia Technology Council, and Make-A-Wish
In 2001, the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC ) Foundation, a prominent Northern Virginia organization, announced a partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic (MAWFMA) to fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses who request computers, by providing needed technical support using donations and volunteers solicited from NVTC members. Shortly after the announcement, Morgan Lewis began working closely with both the NVTC Foundation and MAWFMA to develop a concept for a staff position to coordinate and supervise the technical support. The firm and three individual partners combined to make a gift of $20,000 to the NVTC Foundation, which will in turn be directed to MAWFMA to fund the new position. The gift was announced at NVTC’s annual high-prestige networking event, "Titans of Technology," and received attention from both local and national media.
Eighteenth Street Development Corporation
Twice a year Morgan Lewis volunteers assist in rehabilitating homes in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Philadelphia. The rehabilitation projects which benefit low-income families range from complete renovations of houses for eventual ownership to special projects in existing homes. Our volunteers work side-by-side with homeowners to make their homes a safe and inviting place to live.
Holiday Gift Giving Program for Children
Morgan Lewis employees donate gifts and/or funds to brighten the holiday season for children connected with a worthwhile charity. In the past several years, gifts and funds have been donated to the "Toy Shop" of the Philadelphia Society for Services to Children, an organization that provides services to children at risk of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and the Children’s Treatment Crisis Center, an organization that benefits children who have been abused or neglected or have witnessed traumatic situations.
Philadelphia Cares Coat Drive
Morgan Lewis employees donate and collect "gently used" winter coats that Philadelphia Cares distributes to over 100 community organizations and schools throughout Philadelphia. In addition, Morgan Lewis employees assist with the sorting and distribution process.
Baby Bundles Program
Morgan Lewis participates in a Women’s Way drive to collect new baby care items for low-income women. Morgan Lewis employees donate both new baby care items and funds. Morgan Lewis volunteers also join other volunteers to sort items collected from drive locations and assemble 500 Baby Bundles for the Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County. These Baby Bundles are given to new mothers in the Healthy Start Program.
Working Wardrobe
Morgan Lewis employees donate new or "gently used" business clothing and accessories to low-income women and women on welfare to assist them during the interview process as they enter or re-enter the job market.
Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation
The Pittsburgh Office supports the annual PLISF auction by supporting a selected law student with the Morgan Lewis/PLISF Cooperative fellowship opportunity. This contribution provides a student, who has accepted an unpaid internship with a public interest organization, with a stipend to assist with living expenses for the summer. In addition, we contribute auction donations to assist the PLISF students in their fundraising efforts. This provides the Pittsburgh Office with an opportunity to support the University of Pittsburgh, its law students, and our community.
Adopt-A-Family
The Pittsburgh Office celebrates the holiday season in grand style by showing our compassion and support for others. Each year the office adopts a family for the holiday season and provides gifts, outerwear and boots, holiday outfits, and a holiday meal for the family. As we collect and wrap the presents and prepare the other needed items for delivery, it is heartwarming to see the warmth and caring that our office exhibits for an unknown family.
American Heart Association Lawyers Have Heart 5K Run/Walk
The Pittsburgh Office is a tremendous supporter of the American Heart Association's Lawyers Have Heart 5K Run/Walk. We served as sponsors for this event for the past four years and members of our office serve on the Lawyers Have Heart Committee. Despite our size, we have received the trophy for the most number of team participants for the past several years. In addition, we have placed in the top three for the past two years for the fastest team.
Morgan Lewis Partners with United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia office of Morgan Lewis is a strong supporter of the United Way. Our yearly campaign goal is to surpass the previous year’s level of giving. The highlight of the campaign the past two years has been a silent auction. Generous employees, partners and vendors donate items to be auctioned. All proceeds benefit the United Way. Another popular fundraiser has been the in-house sale of cookbooks containing favorite recipes submitted by staff. The annual United Way Campaign gives office personnel an opportunity to work together to benefit the region while retaining the ability to support favorite individual charities. Last year’s campaign focused on providing funds for the Community Care – Areas of Need programs. Funds donated targeted local organizations serving three general goals: (1) investing in our children and youth; (2) building adult independence; and (3) promoting healthy living.