NEW YORK - Oct. 30, 2015 – International law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, which was No. 1 on the Law360 2015 Most Charitable Firms list, marked the American Bar Association’s (ABA) National Pro Bono Week 2015 with a full schedule of events through Saturday, Oct. 31. National Pro Bono Week is a nationwide event that focuses attention on the increased need for pro bono legal services during challenging economic times. The week also celebrates the work of lawyers who serve people in critical need of representation.
“This year, Greenberg Traurig offices throughout the United States hosted a range of programs that aimed to both honor members of the firm who have dedicated their time to pro bono, as well as raise awareness of new and ongoing projects that attorneys can join,” said Caroline J. Heller, Litigation Practice shareholder and head of Greenberg Traurig’s Pro Bono Program. “We continue to be committed to providing pro bono legal services to underserved communities, as well as to numerous civic and charitable organizations dedicated to assisting them.”
Greenberg Traurig lawyers across the firm provide pro bono legal services to the indigent and working poor, as well as to numerous civic and charitable organizations dedicated to assisting them. The firm has ongoing partnerships with Equal Justice Works, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Her Justice, Advocates for Children of New York, The Bronx Defenders, Children and Family Justice Center, Just Neighbors Immigrant Ministry, Center for Community Change, University of Miami School of Law’s Children and Youth Law Clinic, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, ABA Death Penalty Representation Project, the Archdiocesan Legal Network, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, and the Tahirih Justice Center, among others.
Below is Greenberg Traurig’s calendar of events for National Pro Bono Week:
AUSTIN/HOUSTON
Wednesday, Oct. 28
The two offices co-hosted a lunch via video conference to introduce Tovah Pentelovitch, a Greenberg Traurig-sponsored Equal Justice Works Fellow who successfully landed a role with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Pentelovitch is working on an exciting project that involves curbing the problematic use of Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs in Austin and underserved regions through outreach and representation of the most at-risk students in school disciplinary proceedings.
DALLAS
Saturday, Oct. 24
The office joined the Dallas Bar Association’s Community Day of Service and hosted a project at Bonton Farm, the farm planted on a levee in South Dallas, their poorest, least healthy ZIP code that also happens to be a “food desert.” This attorney-led service day was created to encourage volunteering and to promote good relations among lawyers and the Dallas community.
Thursday, Oct. 29
A reception was held to honor the firm’s pro bono work and to present the first Greenberg Traurig Dallas Pro Bono Awards.
LAS VEGAS
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Shareholder Leslie S. Godfrey gave a presentation on providing legal assistance to the victims of human trafficking.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Special Assistant Attorney General, Office of Military Legal Assistance, discussed the Nevada Attorney General’s first-of-its-kind military civil pro bono assistance program for active, reserve, and veteran service members.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Legal Aid of Southern Nevada presented various opportunities available to provide pro bono assistance. The office also recognized those who went above and beyond to help people in need.
NEW YORK
Monday, Oct. 26
This CLE lunch titled, “Equal Justice Legacy: Past to Present, How Equal Justice Fellows Change the Lives of Low-Income New Yorkers,” introduced attorneys to the work of current and former Greenberg Traurig Equal Justice Works Fellows who are making an impact.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Pro Bono Reception, Fair, and Greenberg Traurig New York Pro Bono Award Ceremony
The New York office presented its annual New York Pro Bono Awards.
PHILADELPHIA
Monday, Oct. 26
This year, the Philadelphia office’s annual pro bono lunch featured a presentation by Women Against Abuse and introduced Equal Justice Works Fellow Mary Kate Kalinich. For the next two years, Kalinich will be working to improve outcomes for children and families where domestic violence and child abuse coexist in the home.
PHOENIX
Friday, Oct. 30
The Phoenix office had representatives of Arizona State University Law School’s Pro Bono Board present about their program and the pro bono opportunities they offer.
TALLAHASSEE
Tuesday, Oct. 27
The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee gave a presentation to attorneys. The Legal Aid Foundation estimates that over 2,300 low-income families in the Tallahassee area need legal assistance every year.
TAMPA
Wednesday, Oct. 28
During lunch, the office pro bono liaison, Robert Soriano, provided an overview of the firm’s program, discussed upcoming opportunities for involvement, as well as reviewed Tampa’s greatest pro bono success stories.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Claire Blumenson, a former Equal Justice Works Fellow, now the Executive Director & Co-Founder of SCHOOL JUSTICE PROJECT (SJP), presented. In August 2013, she launched SJP, a nonprofit legal services organization that provides special education legal services to older youth involved in the region’s juvenile justice system. In the afternoon, attorneys and staff of the office made sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a local organization that provides food to local homeless people nightly.
For more information about National Pro Bono Week, please visit: http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/.