PHILADELPHIA, June 6, 2016: Global law firm Morgan Lewis today kicks off an impressive roster of community service and pro bono events for its seventh annual Community Impact Week. This year’s theme is Supporting Education, and will unite the firm’s lawyers and other professionals in celebration of the firm’s longstanding commitment to service and support for education-related causes in communities around the world.
The lineup of more than 150 events includes legal trainings, local clinics, and presentations from thought leaders in education, as well as a diverse array of pro bono and community service opportunities planned across Morgan Lewis offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Lawyers and professional staff will participate in a variety of activities throughout the week, from book drives to school and library rehabilitation programs, and provide free legal services to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
“Morgan Lewis, as a firm and through our lawyers and staff across our global network, gives back in myriad ways—through charitable contributions, community service, scholarships, and tens of thousands of pro bono hours each year,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “We are proud to continue to broaden the scope of our longstanding pro bono and community service efforts as our firm’s capabilities and geographic footprint grow.”
The week includes discussions with leading lawyers from two renowned organizations, Teach for America and Oxfam International, who will address how lawyers and law firms can support educational institutions worldwide.
“Education is one of the most crucial tools in breaking the cycle of poverty, and we work to support organizations that foster educational development throughout our global community,” said Morgan Lewis partner Amanda Smith, who leads the strategy of the firm’s extensive, award-winning pro bono practice. “Community Impact Week is an opportunity for us to celebrate and deepen our commitment to the people, nonprofit service providers, and programs in the cities where we live and practice.”
In 2015, Morgan Lewis contributed nearly 100,000 hours to pro bono representations, an average of more than 60 hours per lawyer. The firm has long treated pro bono hours as billable, and it recognizes and rewards lawyers who have achieved success in pro bono representations. Morgan Lewis is a signatory to the Pro Bono Institute’s Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, pledging to spend at least 3% of its billable hours each year on pro bono matters.