About Us: Pro Bono

Educational Outreach

Carver Promise

More than a decade ago, McGuireWoods teamed with several Richmond corporations and four area universities to establish the Carver Promise. This nationally recognized program is located at and named for the predominantly minority G.W. Carver Elementary School, the oldest public elementary school in Richmond. Entire classes of students enter the program in the third grade and remain in it through the 12th grade. During this period, mentors from area universities and companies, as well as an array of additional supporters, are provided to help these disadvantaged students work toward high school graduation and college admission.

Two of our lawyers served on the founding board; many of our lawyers serve as mentors; we reserve intern positions each summer for two Carver Promise high school students; the firm provides significant financial assistance for the program; one of our partners acquired a corporate grant and formed the Carver Alumni and Friends Association; and one of our partners currently chairs the Carver Promise Board of Directors.

The Chicago Challenge

One of our Chicago partners is the founder and president of the Chicago Challenge – a tax-exempt charitable and educational organization that provides some of Chicago’s most economically disadvantaged inner city children opportunities to realize their full potential. Since its inception in 1994, numerous members of McGuireWoods have devoted countless dollars and hours to help the organization provide its scholars with quality education, health care, psychological counseling, after school tutoring, and extracurricular activities.

Tomorrow's Promise

Tomorrow’s Promise is a college scholarship program established by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to assist the children of public housing tenants. When McGuireWoods was recognized at a dinner in 2001 for its financial contribution, one of our associates – a former RRHA resident and recipient of the Tomorrow’s Promise scholarship – received the award on our behalf.

Friends Association

Originally founded by the Quakers, this organization has assisted residents of public housing for several years with daycare, after school care, mentoring, tutoring and counseling services. One of our partners served as president, and a number of our lawyers have served on the board for several years. The firm has also made financial contributions to support the association.

Virginia Heroes

Our lawyers have participated in this program, which was founded by Arthur Ashe. Participants mentor students from Richmond public schools.

Lunch Buddies

Several of our partners and associates participate in this program by committing to a monthly luncheon with a child at a local public school.

Garfield Childs Memorial Fund

Garfield Childs was a former chairman of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. In his will, he left significant funds for the creation of a program to provide educational assistance to the children of public housing residents. With the assistance of McGuireWoods, the Garfield Childs Memorial Fund program was established. Children receive tutorial assistance and classes on a variety of computer-related topics using new computers acquired by the fund. McGuireWoods lawyers have served as tutors and board members, and continue to provide pro bono legal services to the program.

Women in the Law

Pre-qualified female students at Spelman College in Atlanta, who have demonstrated an interest in law, are employed in our Atlanta office for approximately 10 hours per week during the school year as paid interns and litigation management assistants. Many of these women have gone on to law school. Spelman is a private, liberal arts college, historically attended by African-American women.

Explorer Scouting Program

McGuireWoods partners and associates have long been involved in the Explorer Program that is designed to assist students who may want to pursue careers in the legal profession. Many of the meetings are held at the firm. Our teams have won national competitions.

First Tee

First Tee is a national nonprofit group whose mission is to give minority youth access to the game of golf. In the Richmond area, this project includes two locations, one in the city of Richmond with a driving range and par 3 golf course, and one in Chesterfield County with a driving range and 18-hole golf course. McGuireWoods provided pro bono legal services for the approvals required to build the golf course in Chesterfield County. One of our lawyers serves on the Richmond First Tee Board of Directors and is working on the development agreement.

Boys and Girls Club

For several years, McGuireWoods partners have served on the Boys and Girls Club Boards of Directors and the Foundation Board. In the city of Richmond, all but one of the Boys and Girls Club locations are in minority neighborhoods. At least three of the locations are in or adjacent to public housing properties.