Pro bono director and counsel Angie Zimmern
In 2022, 80% of McGuireWoods lawyers, as well as paralegals and professional staff, contributed their time and talents to providing free legal services to those who could not otherwise afford the assistance. The need for pro bono assistance continues to outpace the pro bono resources available, but the firm is making strides in the industry’s effort to close that gap.
As described in McGuireWoods’ 2022 Pro Bono Report, the firm recorded more than 38,000 hours of pro bono work in 2022, opened more than 400 new pro bono engagements and worked on more than 600 existing matters.
McGuireWoods lawyers helped to restore the freedom of people unjustly convicted of crimes, aided communities rocked by tragedy and helped veterans who bravely served their country. They also helped low-income clients overcome legal problems affecting their basic needs —remedying poor housing conditions, avoiding unlawful evictions, obtaining protective orders against abusers and assisting with child custody issues.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. As described in the report, McGuireWoods received awards, including the Corporate Pro Bono Award presented by the Pro Bono Institute to Dominion Energy, VCU Health and McGuireWoods for their innovative pro bono medical-legal partnership. McGuireWoods also accepted the National Veterans Legal Services Program’s Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award, recognizing the firm’s outstanding commitment to serving veterans.
The report lists the valuable pro bono partnerships the firm has formed with corporate clients and nonprofit organizations seeking justice for the underserved, including the award-winning Charlotte Triage program, and called out some high-profile pro bono cases, including efforts assisting Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
The publication also highlights the 2022 McGuireWoods Pro Bono Awards recognizing outstanding pro bono service and commitment among firm lawyers and professional staff.