McGuireWoods is a finalist for Pro Bono Outstanding Firm and Environment & Sustainability Outstanding Firm in the 2024 Chambers USA Awards. In addition, partner Jontille Ray is a finalist for Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year and associate Tyra Pearson is a finalist for DEI Future Leader.
The awards celebrate the achievements of firms and individuals who advance diversity, inclusion, pro bono and sustainability across the United States. Winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on June 13, 2024.
For the sixth consecutive year, McGuireWoods is shortlisted for Outstanding Firm for Pro Bono for working to close the “justice gap” for those in need. While the firm made an impact in a range of matters — including high-stakes asylum and wrongful-conviction appeals — many of its pro bono clients are low-income individuals and families with legal problems affecting basic needs related to poor housing conditions, unlawful evictions and child custody issues, among others.
For the second year in a row, McGuireWoods is a finalist for Outstanding Firm for Environment & Sustainability for its comprehensive approach to environmental and sustainability matters. The firm assists clients in responding to litigation challenges, managing legal and reputational risks, and navigating and understanding environmental justice issues. Among its notable achievements, McGuireWoods is advising Dominion Energy in building the largest offshore wind project in the United States and the first to be installed in federal waters.
Ray is shortlisted for Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year for her work helping low-income clients navigate the family law system. Ray is pro bono co-leader for the firm’s Richmond, Virginia, office and point person for child custody and support matters. She was part of a McGuireWoods team that launched a novel medical-legal partnership (MLP) with Dominion Energy and VCU Health to assist VCU patients with legal issues affecting their health and wellbeing. She is the lead lawyer for family law matters referred from the MLP.
Pearson is a finalist for DEI Future Leader for being a catalyst for diversity and inclusion within the firm and in the Charlotte, North Carolina, legal community. In 2023, Pearson launched Young Black Lawyers of Charlotte (YBLC), a nonprofit organization formed to unite the community’s Black lawyers under 40. Under her leadership, the organization serves as a hub for mentorship, knowledge exchange and collective empowerment.
“Diversity and inclusion are core values at McGuireWoods and our lawyers demonstrate it every day through their service to clients and our communities,” said Ken Neighbors, chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “We are grateful to be recognized for these important efforts.”