Reflecting on the Power of Pro Bono in 2023

Reflecting on the Power of Pro Bono in 2023

As we step into the new year, we reflect on the power of our pro bono program and the impact that can be made when a law firm powered by 1000 attorneys comes together to deliver justice to community members across the country.


Impact Litigation

2023 saw an expansion of our platform and program initiatives as we focused on advancing gender, racial and social equity, developing affordable housing initiatives, and seeking protection against violence. Some of our impact work included high-profile lawsuits, class actions, and appellate advocacy seeking reform for broken child welfare systems, youth detention centers, corrections facilities, and prisoners’ rights. We leaned into our relationships with valued corporate clients and community partners to offer customized programs centered around will-writing, license restoration, debt relief, record expungement, and orders of protection. We supported clients experiencing domestic violence, police misconduct, discriminatory use of peremptory strikes to disqualify jurors, international child abduction, the rise in antisemitism, and refugees seeking protection in the United States against violence abroad. We conducted systemic research regarding voting rights, legislation impacting the LGBTQ+ community, reproductive rights, and behavior intervention systems in schools.

 

Transactional Pro Bono

Our corporate lawyers lent their expertise to contract-drafting, intellectual property protection, and a novel exoneration screening project for prisoners claiming wrongful convictions. Our lawyers offered counsel to nonprofit organizations nationwide with notable contributions directed towards criminal justice reform, affordable housing initiatives, and finding a cure for pediatric cancer. Our financial attorneys provided counsel on innovative investments in funds, capital, and real estate closings toward revitalizing communities, supporting minority-owned businesses and making banking systems more egalitarian.

 

Program Expansion

Our volunteers stepped up, enabling us to increase pro bono hours by 35% with our West Virginia, Minnesota, and Jacksonville attorneys achieving 100% office-wide participation. Our highlighted cases and initiatives only scratch the surface of the 1,200+ active matters as part of our dynamic program which responds to community needs as they arise.

 

Pro Bono Award Winners

We want to take a moment to shine a light on our committed lawyers, whose volunteerism and legal expertise is the engine that drives our success. 2023 pro bono award winners include: Stan Jones , Robert Brunson , Jay W. Fee , Neil Grayson , Dowse ("Brad") Rustin , Peter John Veysey , Blake Williams , and Ann Galloway .


Featured Pro Bono Stars

Rose Athena Collins , Associate, Boston: See spotlight here.

Mary Biscoe-Hall , Partner, Baltimore: See spotlight here.

Jordan Fuit , Associate, Los Angeles: See spotlight here.

Kristen Mella , Senior Associate, Atlanta: See spotlight here.

Molly Jean Given , Partner, Minneapolis: See spotlight here.

Cassie Guerdan (Coolidge) , Senior Associate, Orlando: See spotlight here.

Janice Morreale, Senior Paralegal, Myrtle Beach: See spotlight here.

Jenny Covington , Partner, Minneapolis: See spotlight here.

 

Looking Ahead

We have much to be proud of and look forward to another year of collaboration, legal acumen, and continued growth as Nelson Mullins ACTS to Advance Change Together, for good.


Elisa Kodish , Pro Bono Partner

Norah Rogers , Pro Bono Manager

Emily Guerrero , Pro Bono Coordinator

Nelson Mullins Pro Bono Department

Robyn Miller

Head of Legal Water.org

1y

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