NEW YORK, June 8, 2020: Global law firm Morgan Lewis today begin its 11th annual Community Impact Week, “Pro Bono and Community Service in a Time of Crisis.” The reminder of the prevalence of racial injustice in our society now, compounded by the COVID-19 world health crisis, has created considerable unmet legal need.
“Our pro bono program has long been focused on serving vulnerable communities, in particular communities of color, in a broad range of matters including those involving unequal treatment, unlawful detention, public benefits, eviction prevention, and immigration,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “We must continue to come together, especially during this challenging time, to try and make a meaningful, measurable difference in the lives of those who need it.”
This year’s Community Impact Week, a fully virtual program, comprises pro bono and service-related events across Morgan Lewis’s worldwide offices, including educational programming on legal advocacy to address racial inequality. We also are holding a fundraising drive for legal service providers and racial justice organizations that support these underrepresented communities.
Every eligible lawyer at Morgan Lewis annually contributes at least 20 hours to pro bono representations, including in partnership with a number of firm clients. In fiscal year 2019, 100% of our 2,100 eligible lawyers met our 20-hour Pro Bono Challenge, contributing more than 132,000 hours to pro bono representations. Most recently, in recognition of Morgan Lewis’s commitment to pro bono, the firm was named an honoree on the National Law Journal’s 2020 Pro Bono Hot List.