At McGuireWoods, our lawyers have chosen careers in the law for two reasons: We are passionate about making sure justice is served and passionate about our clients.
From death penalty cases and housing law to transactions for nonprofit organizations and immigration, our lawyers strive to meet the legal needs of marginalized people. But to make the most powerful impact on our communities, we collaborate where possible with firm clients, legal aid organizations, and other groups to better serve those in need and develop innovative avenues for pro bono assistance. Our collaborations have transformed legal services and serve as models for increased access to justice nationwide.
A justice system is far more powerful when lawyers are willing to provide pro bono service to the eight in 10 low-income Americans who don’t have access to counsel for their civil legal needs. Be it through dedication, partnership or innovation, McGuireWoods’ lawyers focus on helping pro bono clients in matters that impact their lives.
For questions about McGuireWoods’ pro bono program, contact David Greenspan, pro bono partner, or Angie Zimmern, senior counsel and pro bono director. To view contacts for our office locations, please click here.
PRO BONO PARTNERSHIPS
More than a decade ago, McGuireWoods began cultivating pro bono partnerships with clients across the country. The result? Today, there are more than a dozen pro bono collaborations firmwide.
Working together to serve under-resourced people strengthens client relationships and McGuireWoods is committed to such pro bono partnerships.
OUR CHICAGO OFFICE partnered with one of the largest utility companies in the United States to hold a legal clinic helping immigrant children enrol in the DACA program.
OUR NEW YORK OFFICE partnered with a leading electronics corporation to work at a veterans hospital assisting with legal issues.
OUR TYSONS OFFICE co-hosted a legal clinic with a bank holding client and others to provide program audits to more than 10 local nonprofit clients.
OUR SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE teamed up with a leading multinational banking and financial services client on family law pro bono matters.
OUR DALLAS OFFICE partnered with a leading multinational banking and financial services client for an intake clinic for victims of domestic violence.
OUR JACKSONVILLE OFFICE partnered with a financial services client to help low-income individuals with healthcare directive documents.
OUR PITTSBURGH OFFICE partnered with a Fortune 500 bank to assist unaccompanied immigrant children seeking asylum in the United States.
OUR CHARLOTTE OFFICE partnered for the fourth year in a row with a leading multinational banking and financial services client for a clinic to assist individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
OUR LOS ANGELES OFFICE partnered with a leading multinational banking and financial services client for an expungement clinic.
OUR NEW YORK OFFICE partnered with an investment bank and financial services client for an estate planning clinic.
PRO BONO INNOVATION
In addition to representing pro bono clients successfully and partnering with existing organizations, McGuireWoods develops groundbreaking ways to achieve pro bono goals and expand access to legal services.
RECOGNITION
Charlotte Triage — a partnership between McGuireWoods, other law firms, corporate legal departments and legal aid organizations that serves Charlotte’s most vulnerable residents — was honored with the 2020 Corporate Pro Bono Partner Award.
– PRO BONO INITIATIVE
“Highly Commended” for the Triage Project and for winning largest U.S. single-plaintiff human trafficking award.
– FINANCIAL TIMES “NORTH AMERICA INNOVATIVE LAWYERS”
Received prestigious “Spirit of North Carolina Award” for support of local United Way and longstanding commitment to pro bono service and community engagement.
– UNITED WAY
REAL-LIFE IMPACT
LARGEST SINGLE-PLAINTIFF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARD IN U.S. HISTORY
McGuireWoods won nearly $8 million in damages for a human traffcking survivor in a federal lawsuit against a “regimented cult” and the group’s leader, who forced our client to work since she was a child without pay, benefits or breaks for a decade. Our team argued for a novel prevailing wages formula and won a federal civil suit for our pro bono client that now serves as a model in this developing area of law.
FOURTH AMENDMENT WIN FOR PRO BONO CLIENT AT U.S. SUPREME COURT
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with our client and ruled decisively that police offcers without a warrant cannot use the automobile exception to enter a home’s curtilage to access a vehicle. The ruling, which provided needed clarity to the scope of the automobile exception, will now become part of police training across the country, and the case will stand as a major bulwark protecting the sanctity of the home from creeping exceptions.