Introduction Friends and colleagues, As you are all well aware, 2008 was a very difficult year in every community where we live and work. But even though we may have all felt the impact, it was especially challenging for people already facing economic, political or social injustice. It did not help matters that the organizations and agencies who work with them felt a strong strain on their budgets and resources as well. We are extraordinarily proud to report that, in these difficult times, the attorneys and professionals at Mintz Levin continued to stand with, and stand up for, people in need, and to give life to the firm’s 76-year- old tradition of pro bono service. We continued to expand our ongoing commitment in several areas, including cases involving domestic violence and political asylum. Many of our offices increased considerably the number of hours devoted to pro bono work, and an even broader cross-section of our people, from more areas of our practice, joined in our pro bono efforts. We hope you will enjoy reading, in our 2008 Pro Bono Report, about a small number of the close to 400 pro bono matters our attorneys, summer associates and other staff handled this year. We want to take this opportunity to thank those who contributed their time and their knowledge—all 375 of them. With their help, many of our clients have been able to overcome a challenge and—more importantly—to plant a seed of hope, health, security or growth. Sincerely, R. Robert Popeo, Chairman Andrew R. Urban, Vice Chairman Robert I. Bodian, Managing Member Susan M. Finegan, Chair, Pro Bono Committee July 1, 2009