About Us: Pro Bono

Awards & Recognitions

McGuireWoods Commended by Legal Services Corporation for
Pro Bono Efforts

McGuireWoods Managing Partner Tom Cabaniss, center, and partner
Scott Oostdyk, second from left, receive the Pro Bono Service Award from the
Legal Services Corporation on behalf of the firm.

At its annual board meeting, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) awarded McGuireWoods an "extraordinary commitment" citation for the firm's collaboration with seven other law firms in the groundbreaking Firms in Service initiative to provide pro bono lawyers the chance to augment the efforts of legal aid offices.

McGuireWoods Managing Partner Tom Cabaniss accepted the award for the firm. The LSC funds the legal aid programs that serve 63 million civil legal aid eligible clients across the country.

McGuireWoods and AOL Honored for Pro Bono Collaboration

Arlene Beckerman, Fairfax County Bar Association;
Jim Villa and Katherine Wychulis (AOL); and Brian Lubkeman.

McGuireWoods LLP and AOL have been selected by the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center as the joint recipients of the “Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year.” The award was presented at the Fairfax Bar Association’s annual State of the Judiciary Luncheon held in December 2008 at The Country Club of Fairfax.

The recipients were cited for creating a first-of-its-kind working relationship between a corporate in-house legal department and a law firm solely to perform pro bono work in the Northern Virginia community. The project teams AOL in-house attorneys with lawyers from McGuireWoods’ Tysons Corner, D.C. and Richmond offices to provide a monthly neighborhood outreach clinic in the Reston/Herndon area.

During the clinics, attorneys from both organizations consult with individuals who need help with issues such as immigration, child custody, divorce, housing, public benefits, and more. Since its inception earlier this year, McGuireWoods and AOL have held seven clinics and provided legal advice for 73 individuals. They have provided further assistance beyond the clinics for 12 individuals. AOL and McGuireWoods have partnered with the Fairfax Bar Association’s Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, and Reston Interfaith to create, market and operate the monthly clinic. Legal Services of Northern Virginia also has provided critical training and referral support for the clinic.

“We are humbled to accept this award and gratified that we have been recognized along with our partner, AOL,” said McGuireWoods Tysons Corner partner Brian Lubkeman. “For us, this award is a testament to the countless hours that our attorneys and legal professionals, and our staff, both in this project with AOL, but also elsewhere throughout the area, have given to help those individuals who otherwise might not be able to secure effective legal representation.”

“For lawyers working in firms, pro bono work is typically a part of the job, but in the corporate environment, there are few opportunities to provide charitable legal services,” said Katherine Wychulis and Jim Villa, co-chairs of AOL’s pro bono committee. “These clinics give AOL’s legal team a chance to give back to the community. We are pleased to have these efforts recognized by the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center.”

“After witnessing the positive effects from their collaboration, it was obvious that McGuireWoods and AOL earned the distinction of being co-named Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year,” said Arlene K. Beckerman, Esq., Director of the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center. “The time and effort put forth by these teams has greatly benefited the clients being served and stands as a model for other organizations in the area.”

McGuireWoods Recognized on Pro Bono Initiative Honor Roll for Second Consecutive Year

McGuireWoods LLP was named to the Pro Bono Initiative’s Honor Roll for 2006, which recognizes the firm’s commitment to providing legal services to low-income populations in Chicago and surrounding areas, and to others who cannot afford legal representation. We were also recognized in 2005.

Each year, PBI surveys Chicago-area law firms and corporations to track local pro bono work. PBI compiles its annual list to recognize firms and corporations that promote equal access to justice by creating opportunities for law students and lawyers to provide public interest and pro bono work in Chicago.

“McGuireWoods takes pride in the opportunities to offer pro bono work in the Chicago area. For example, our pro bono efforts helped a refugee from Somalia who lives in Chicago to win political asylum; handled criminal appeals before the 7th Circuit for indigent defendants; and obtained contested insurance coverage regarding a potentially serious loss for a nonprofit, charitable organization that grants final wishes to adults with terminal illnesses,” said Richard T. Greenberg, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ Chicago office.

A project of the Public Interest Law Initiative, PBI inspires pro bono work by members of the bar by developing new and creative ways of expanding pro bono work at corporations and law firms. The organization builds professional relationships into working partnerships, leveraging legal resources into legal services for the poor and disenfranchised, which generates thousands of hours of legal assistance each year.

McGuireWoods 2005 Pro Bono Service Award Honors Stand-out Associates for Second Year

Throughout 2005, the pro bono work of Chicago associates Melissa Bien, Lisa Clay and Gary Leung has been outstanding in the firm's 7th Circuit appeals program. Their dedication to serving the interests of the judicial system, firm clients, and the Chicago community, has earned them the distinction of McGuireWoods 2005 Pro Bono Service Award winners.

The 7th Circuit appeals effort was established by the firm's Chicago partners to fill a regional service gap and provide valued experience for the firm's young advocates. Bien, Clay and Leung have litigated sophisticated and important public matters in front of some of America's best judges. Their record and commitment speak to the quality of the program and of their work. In addition to recognition in front of the firm's partnership at its annual retreat, the award carries a cash bonus for each winner and individual recognition plaques.

McGuireWoods LLP Recognized on Pro Bono Initiative Honor Roll

McGuireWoods LLP was named to the Pro Bono Initiative’s Honor Roll for 2005, which recognizes the firm’s commitment to providing legal services to low-income populations in Chicago and surrounding areas, and to others who cannot afford legal representation.

Each year, PBI surveys Chicago-area law firms and corporations to track local pro bono work. PBI compiles its annual list to recognize firms and corporations that promote equal access to justice by creating opportunities for law students and lawyers to provide public interest and pro bono work in Chicago.

“McGuireWoods takes pride in the opportunities to offer pro bono work in the Chicago area. For example, our pro bono efforts helped a refugee from Somalia who lives in Chicago to win political asylum; handled criminal appeals before the 7th Circuit for indigent defendants; and obtained contested insurance coverage regarding a potentially serious loss for a nonprofit, charitable organization that grants final wishes to adults with terminal illnesses,” said Richard T. Greenberg, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ Chicago office.

A project of the Public Interest Law Initiative, PBI inspires pro bono work by members of the bar by developing new and creative ways of expanding pro bono work at corporations and law firms. The organization builds professional relationships into working partnerships, leveraging legal resources into legal services for the poor and disenfranchised, which generates thousands of hours of legal assistance each year.