McGuireWoods Raises More Pounds of Food in Statewide ‘Legal Food Frenzy’ Than Any Other Law Firm in Virginia

May 2, 2008

McGuireWoods LLP donated 224,778 pounds of food for the Second Annual “Legal Food Frenzy” during the statewide food drive competition for Virginia’s legal community. In recognition of McGuireWoods’ achievement, the law firm was awarded the “Smithfield Ham Award” for raising the most pounds of food overall.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell announced that the philanthropic competition raised a total of 1,366,401 pounds of food for the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, which is enough food to provide 1,067,501 meals. The goal for the year was one million pounds.

Derek Swanson, a lawyer in McGuireWoods’ Richmond office, led the firm’s internal food drive. He also served on the planning committee for this year’s event. Lawyers and staff from the firm’s offices in Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond and Tyson’s Corner donated both food and money.

“The Legal Food Frenzy was an effort that everybody at McGuireWoods wanted to get behind, and based on the level of enthusiasm that I saw, I am not surprised that our efforts were successful,” said Richard Cullen, chairman of McGuireWoods. “It is gratifying to know that our firm’s donations will help feed so many people in Virginia who may have gone hungry otherwise, and I especially want to commend Derek Swanson on his hard work.”

Attorney General McDonnell organized the food drive in partnership with the Virginia State Bar Association and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.