TAMPA, Fla. – Jan. 21, 2016 – Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to giving back to the community, international law firm Greenberg Traurig has negotiated a settlement agreement between its client, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its Office of Justice Programs (OJP). Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network. Founded in 1904, its more than 300 affiliates provide Big Brothers and Big Sisters who mentor nearly 200,000 children in all 50 states.
This settlement resolves issues concerning the organization’s administration of three DOJ grants, which threatened the organization’s legacy. David B. Weinstein, Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Tampa office, led Greenberg Traurig’s team of 43 lawyers and staff from 14 offices across the country who provided more than $1 million dollars in pro bono legal services. In 2015, Law360 recognized Greenberg Traurig as topping the list of the nation’s 10 Most Charitable Law Firms.
“We are pleased to have played a major role in helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of America move forward and get back to focusing on the critical mission of mentoring America’s youth,” said Weinstein, who also chairs the firm’s Environmental & Toxic Torts Litigation Practice. “The appointment of former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio as President and CEO and the new management team she has assembled have undoubtedly reinforced the organization’s commitment to excellence. I am also pleased that this important organization has relocated its headquarters to Tampa and will be around for many years to come.”
Greenberg Traurig attorneys have worked closely with Big Brothers Big Sisters to help make it a gold standard in grant administration, and one of the firm’s shareholders, Alais Griffin, recently joined the organization as its General Counsel. The organization’s efforts and the negotiated settlement allow Big Brothers Big Sisters to continue its DOJ and OJP grant administration. As a part of the settlement, the organization will pay $1.6 million to DOJ from sale proceeds from its former headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.