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YOUR TIME AT WORK
McDermott and the Nonprofit Legal Assessment Program
Partner to Provide More than Just Representation
Front row (L to R): Todd Solomon, Menna Eltaki, Maggie
McTigue.
Back row (L to R): Patrick McCurry, Jake Townsend, Peg Duncan,
Ulrika Mattsson.
Through a unique pro bono program supported by the
CBF, Todd Solomon, a partner at McDermott, Will & Emery, and a team
of 10 McDermott attorneys stepped up to help one of our community’s legal aid
organizations, the AIDS Legal Council of
Chicago (ALCC), carry out its mission of preserving and protecting the
legal rights of the many thousands of people impacted by HIV and AIDS. While
many think of pro bono only in the context of representing individuals, Todd
and his team did not represent ALCC clients for this project. Instead, they
joined forces with the Nonprofit Legal
Assessment Program (NLAP) of the Community Economic Development Law Project
to deliver a different kind of legal service. Read More...
“These lawyers
encouraged us to raise our sights on board expectations and fundraising so that
we can be the best organization possible. For us and our board to hear this
from lawyers who have thoroughly evaluated our organization is incredibly
valuable.”
- Ann Fisher, Executive Director of ALCC
YOUR MONEY AT WORK
Sam Mendenhall and His Strong Commitment
to the Community
Sam
Mendenhall, a
partner at Winston & Strawn, is
a lawyer who puts his money where his mouth is when it comes to access to
justice. A charter member of the CBF’s Abraham Lincoln Circle of Justice and an
annual donor to the CBF Investing in Justice Campaign, Sam and other members of
the Lincoln Circle
support a number of important CBF initiatives that assist grantee organizations
in addressing common issues and larger systemic challenges to their work. Sam’s
generosity makes it possible for the CBF to provide these groups with, among
other resources, programming on human resources and management training,
governance best practices, and board development. Read More...
“The legal profession has given
me a unique opportunity to make our community a better place, and one way I can
do that is by contributing money to support pro bono and legal aid services. As
lawyers, this cause needs to be an integral part of our overall charitable
giving.”
- Sam Mendenhall
YOUR INFLUENCE AT WORK
Laurel
Bellows and Her Advocacy Work for Federal Legal Aid Funding
In addition to direct
contributions of time and money, lawyers also use their networks and influence
in the community to advance access to justice. Laurel G. Bellows, a principal in Bellows and Bellows, PC, is one lawyer who has put her experience
and influence to work in order to advance access to justice. As a leading voice
within a strong coalition of lawyers, bar associations and legal aid advocates,
including the CBA and CBF, Laurel for years has advocated for adequate funding
for the federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and related access to justice
initiatives. As a result of these efforts, Congress has meaningfully increased
funding for LSC over the past two years, making it possible for tens of
thousands more Americans in need to get vital legal assistance. For 2010, Congress
increased funding for LSC by $30 million, which translated to a much-needed
funding increase of more than $500,000 for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (LAF), which is
already being put to critical use. Read More...
“As lawyers and trustees of
the justice system, we need to be at the forefront of the efforts to ensure
that government at all levels is meeting its responsibility to provide adequate
funding for legal aid and related access to justice initiatives.”
- Laurel Bellows
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