American Lawyer Ranks Mintz Levin in the Top 100 Firms for Pro Bono Work
7/17/2009
Boston, MA - American Lawyer has named Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. to its 2009 "Pro Bono 100." The list, published in the July 2009 issue and online, ranks the top 100 firms based on the average number of pro bono hours per lawyer and the percentage of lawyers who perform more than 20 hours of pro bono work.
The publication highlighted the firm's affiliation with the Medical-Legal Partnership | Boston (MLP), and specifically its pro bono work on behalf of the organization over the past year. Led by Garrett Gillespie, an associate in the firm's Health Law Section, the firm represented a six-year-old autistic child in Boston, whose mother was fighting to ensure that she receive appropriate special education services. After initial negotiations with the school district failed, Mr. Gillespie requested a hearing with the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals, advocating for an increase in the child's one-on-one therapy, supported by an autism specialist and physicians from the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the Boston Medical Center. Both sides reached a resolution the day before the hearing.
"Garrett's excellent advocacy is just one example of the impressive commitment to a wide range of pro bono projects that we have seen from attorneys across the firm this year," said Sue Finegan, Chair of the Pro Bono Committee and Member in the Litigation section. "We are honored that American Lawyer has recognized our efforts in its 'Pro Bono 100' list. It is a testament to firm's longstanding tradition of pro bono service, which is deeply woven in the culture of our community."
Last year, pro bono attorneys in Mintz Levin's award-winning program handled over 400 matters addressing a variety of issues, including domestic violence, political asylum and immigration, affordable housing and homelessness, human rights, and non-profit legal assistance. All of the firm's attorneys are strongly encouraged to provide service to the community as a part of their professional responsibilities as members of the bar. Mintz Levin is a signatory to the Pro Bono Institute's Pro Bono Challenge and has committed to allot 3% of its billable hours for pro bono matters.
Mintz Levin is an AmLaw 100 law firm with offices in the US and the UK. The firm has exceptional depth in a broad range of practice areas, but our clients recognize that what sets us apart from other law firms is our industry focus. By truly understanding business drivers and industry trends, we are able to provide our clients with more than just legal advice; we provide legal solutions to our clients' business issues. Since 1933, our lawyers have represented entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and leaders in primary industries that include Life Sciences/Biotechnology; Technology & Communications; Energy & Clean Technology; Financial Services & Insurance; Healthcare; Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction; and Retail & Consumer Products. Our practical knowledge combined with our industry expertise enables us to provide our clients with enterprise legal advice that gives their business a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
