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Morrison & Foerster has a long history of commitment to providing free legal services to low-income persons and in matters of public interest. Our attorneys have volunteered their time and expertise in class action cases to benefit tens of thousands of people and in numerous other cases to help individuals who otherwise would have been denied access to the justice system. Pro bono activities at our offices around the world cover the full range of public interest work, from staffing legal service clinics and counseling hundreds of nonprofit organizations to handling high-impact litigation. Our greatest efforts have focused on children in poverty and school education issues, civil rights and civil liberties cases, international human rights and political asylum, environmental matters, access to justice, and housing issues. The firm handles referrals of both civil and criminal matters from local courts, bar associations, and legal providers.
A fundamental component of the firm’s culture is our tradition that strongly encourages and values pro bono work. We believe it is an essential part of a lawyer’s professional responsibility to perform pro bono work and engage in other activities that benefit the community. One of our most important policies has been to treat our pro bono work in the same manner as we treat our billable work, including applying the same quality standards. We treat pro bono work equally with other client work for purposes of determining compensation, and pro bono receives the same consideration during evaluations.
Our attorneys contributed over 115,000 hours in 2008 representing pro bono clients. Over the past decade, the firm’s pro bono hours have averaged in excess of 5% of our billable hours. We were one of the charter signatory firms, and our attorneys were instrumental in the development, of the Pro Bono Institute Law Firm Pro Bono ChallengeSM , which calls upon the nation’s top 500 law firms to commit to specified levels of pro bono work as a percentage of billable hours. In July 2008, American Lawyer magazine again ranked the firm on its “A-List” of the Top 20 Law Firms in the Country for our combined scores in pro bono, diversity, associate satisfaction, and economic success.
We also participate in our communities through volunteer efforts and charitable contributions. Attorneys and staff volunteer their leadership skills to a wide variety of local and national nonprofit causes. Our offices provide team volunteer opportunities, while our Community Service Day encourages staff to take a paid day off to pursue their own means of community assistance. The Morrison & Foerster Foundation operates as a separate nonprofit organization.
We are proud of the pro bono work we have performed to date, and wish to continue to make significant contributions to the communities we serve.
Accolades and Awards
| Date | Description |
| 6/10/09 | Legal Services for Children (LSC) in San Francisco honored the firm for its extraordinary commitment to Bay Area children
by enthusiastically encouraging and supporting pro bono service with LSC among our attorneys. |
| 5/19/09 | The Colorado Lawyers Committee gave firm wide litigation chair Steven Kaufmann its 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award at
its annual meeting for his ongoing support and active participation of the organization's pro bono activities. |
| 5/07/09 | The San Francisco Aids Foundation (SFAF) honored Keith Wetmore for his tireless efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS at its
22nd Annual 2009 Leadership Recognition Dinner. SFAF recognized the firm's efforts in partnering with the Foundation to promote
public health to reduce new HIV infections and ensure care for those living in San Francisco with HIV/AIDS. |
| 4/30/09 | The AIDS Legal Referral Panel recognized the firm with a certificate of appreciation for our generous participation in the
Pro Bono Connections Initiative with ALRP. |
| 3/26/09 | The federal Judicial Conference of the District of Columbia Circuit recognized our Washington office for its high levels of
pro bono participation at 40 at 50: Judicial Pro Bono Recognition Breakfast. |
| 3/26/09 | The Volunteer Legal Services Program of the Bar Association of San Francisco presented the firm with its Outstanding Law Firm
in Public Service Award for the firm's unwavering support of pro bono in the Bay Area. |
| 3/26/09 | The Volunteer Legal Services Program of the Bar Association of San Francisco honored Dick Kinyon, Timothy Young, Kate Ferrier
and Sandra Nazzal with its Outstanding Volunteer In Public Service Award. |
| 3/24/09 | The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit awarded the firm with its Certificate of Appreciation in recognition
of its outstanding contributions of time and legal expertise in support of its pro bono program. |
| 3/19/09 | Bay Area Legal Aid recognized San Francisco attorneys Becky Kruse and Evi Schueller for their pro bono work on the fake legal
aid matter and the firm's support of the 2008 Partners in Justice Campaign. |
| 1/29/09 | The New York State Bar Association honored 56 lawyers and the firm’s New York office as Empire State Counsel Honorees, for
their high levels of pro bono contributions. |
| 12/2008 | California Lawyer presented James Schurz, Parisa Jorjani, Oliver Dunlap and Mathew dos Santos with the Angel Awards, which recognize those
attorneys who demonstrate a deep commitment to pro bono. |
| 10/23/2008 | The Casa Cornelia Law Center – an organization that aids immigrants who are abused, abandoned, or seeking asylum – presented
the firm's San Diego office with its La Mancha Award in recognition of 1,300 hours of pro bono work assisting indigent clients. |
| 9/26/2008 | The State Bar of California gave the President’s Pro Bono Service Award to Los Angeles attorneys Mark Gillett, Teri Stein
and Skye Donald for their work on behalf of a HIV+ transgendered Mexican woman refugee. |
| 9/15/2008 | The Anti Defamation League awarded James Brosnahan with its Distinguished Jurisprudence Award given to an outstanding Bay
Area legal professional who exhibits a commitment to equality, justice, fairness, and community service. |
| 6/26/2008 | The Washington DC Bar presented its Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award to Seth Galanter in recognition of his outstanding pro
bono work and unwavering commitment to children with disabilities, blind vendors, prisoners and other civil rights plaintiffs
on novel and complex legal issues. |
| 6/11/2008 | The National Legal Aid & Defender Association honored the firm with its Beacon of Justice Award because of our long-term pro
bono commitment to persons on death row including two recent cases taken by Charles Patterson in Los Angeles that were referred
by the ABA Death Penalty Representation Project. |
| 4/03/2008 | Legal Services for Children presented the firm with a Children’s Legal Advocacy Award, in recognition of its extraordinary
cumulative dedication to disadvantaged children and youth in the Bay Area. Rachael Clarke also received an Advocacy Award
for her representation of a 17-year-old Guatemalan boy. |
| 4/01/2008 | Legal Aid Society of San Mateo named Chris Jeu their Pro Bono Honoree for his victories in court to stabilize a low-income
family and protect a five-year old child. |
| 3/21/2008 | The AIDS Legal Referral Panel honored the firm with its first annual Benito Juarez Human Rights Award For Outstanding Service
to the LGBT & PLWHA Immigrant Community. |
| 3/19/2008 | The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law recognized the firm for its assistance with the United Nations periodic
review of the U.S. implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
noting the firm's steadfast commitment to justice for the advancement of democracy and civil rights of all racial minorities. |
| 2/6/2008 | New York Lawyers for the Public Interest honored partner Gabriel Meister and associate Madhavi Batliboi for their work done
on a pro bono matter through the Pro Bono Clearinghouse. |
| 1/19/2008 | The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty presented the firm with its annual Legal Service Award in recognition
of the pro bono work the firm has done around the issue of the death penalty. |
| 11/1/2007 | The Southern Center for Human Rights honored the firm with its Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award for its work in representing
inmates at Guantanamo Bay. |
| 10/24/2007 | The American Lawyer magazine presented Shirley Hufstedler with a Lifetime Achievement Award, at its fourth annual gala ceremony in New York City.
In recognizing her efforts, the publication noted the "difficult public interest cases" she and husband Seth Hufstedler have
litigated over the years. |
| 10/5/2007 | California Supreme Court Chief Justice R.M. George presented Gordon Erspamer with the Contra Costa County Bar Association’s
President’s Award for his and the firm’s continuing and substantial pro bono efforts on behalf of veterans and others over
the years. |
| 6/27/2007 | The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California gave Dan Marmalefsky the Open Government Award for his
multi-decade work on Wiener v. FBI involving access to the John Lennon papers. Dan was honored for defending the First Amendment and the Freedom of Information
Act. |
| 6/12/2007 | The National Legal Aid & Defender Association recognized the firm with a Beacon of Justice Award for our exemplary commitment
to pro bono services, especially on behalf of detainees at Guantánamo Bay. Charles Patterson in Los Angeles has been leading
the firm’s Guantánamo Bay detainee efforts. |
| 5/17/2007 | The Immigrant Legal Resource Center in San Francisco honored the firm, as well as James Brosnahan and Kathi Pugh, with its
Lawyering for Social Justice Award for our support for the rights of immigrants. |
| 5/14/2007 | The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs awarded Doane Kiechel, Seth Galanter, and a team of Washington
DC attorneys with its Outstanding Achievement Award for their litigation on behalf of people with disabilities to access on-the-street
public parking in the District. |
| 5/4/2007 | The Boalt Hall Alumni Association honored Kathi Pugh with its Young Alumnus Award for dedicating her legal career to serving
the community. |
| 4/18/2007 | The AIDS Legal Referral Panel honored the firm for our long-term commitment to the organization. |
| 3/28/2007 | The Los Angeles County Law Library presented Shirley and Seth Hufstedler with its Beacon of Justice Award for their outstanding
legal achievements, compelling legal scholarship, and distinguished record of public service. |
| 2/23/2007 | Legal Services for Children in San Francisco honored the firm and individually recognized Stacey Sprenkel, Evi Schueller,
Kristina Paszek, and Jason Bartlett for our representation of children. |
| 2/7/2007 | The California Assembly commended the firm with a Resolution for our pro-environmental and public interest work, especially
our pro bono work on behalf of The Nature Conservancy. |
| 12/8/2006 | The Faculty of Federal Advocates gave the firm its Annual Award of Appreciation for our professionalism in representing litigants
referred to the firm by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. |
| 12/1/2006 | California Lawyer honored three of our partners, Dan Marmalefsky, Arturo González and Ken Brakebill, with Angel Awards, which recognize those
attorneys who demonstrate a fierce commitment to pro bono. |
| 10/10/2006 | Alameda County Board of Education presented Arturo González with a Public Education Service Award for representing the high
school students of California in a challenge to the High School Exit Exam. |
| 7/20/2006 | The Public Law Center of Orange County recognized the firm for our commitment to the highest ideals of the profession and
dedicated service to the community in representing Isaiah House Homeless Shelter. |
| 7/18/2006 | The Public Interest Clearinghouse in San Francisco honored Kathi Pugh with its Opening Doors to Justice Award for her longtime
commitment to legal aid. |
| 7/11/2006 | The Ninth Circuit’s Advisory Board presented Shirley Hufstedler of the Los Angeles office with its John P. Frank Award, which
recognizes an outstanding lawyer practicing in the Ninth Circuit who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to bettering the
courts and the justice system. |
| 6/28/2006 | The ACLU Foundation of Southern California awarded Samantha Goodman in Los Angeles with the Racial Justice Award for their
work on behalf of an African-American police officer. |
| 6/17/2006 | The San Francisco Eviction Defense Collaborative honored Jack Londen and Kathi Pugh with its 2006 Advocate Award for their
outstanding contributions to tenants’ rights. |
| 5/18/2006 | The Nature Conservancy recognized the firm for our long-standing pro bono commitment to restoring the biological richness
of Santa Cruz Island. |
| 5/10/2006 | The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley awarded the firm its Honorable Robert F. Peckham Award for outstanding public interest
litigation, and specifically for the work of lawyers in the Palo Alto office. |
| 4/1/2006 | The Coalition of Rural Pueblos Economic Development in Fresno gave Arturo González in San Francisco a Latino Legend of the
20th Century Award for his pro bono work representing the Latino community. |
| 3/2/2006 | The Conference of Delegates of the California Bar Association presented James Brosnahan of the San Francisco office with its
inaugural Jim Pfeiffer Philanthropy Award for his steadfast support of the State Bar’s Conference of Delegates as a forum
for debate and a vehicle for improving the law. |
| 2/10/2006 | The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area honored James Brosnahan with its Living the Dream Partner
Award for his years of pro bono civil rights and civil liberties work. |
| 10/23/2005 | California Rural Legal Assistance gave Arturo González in San Francisco the Cruz Reynoso and Ralph Abascal Don Quijote Award,
which honors individuals who have pursued issues concerning the poor and demonstrated leadership on matters perceived to be
unwinnable or unpopular. |
| 9/30/2005 | The Civil Justice Program of Loyola Law School presented James Brosnahan with its Champion of Justice Award for his long-term
commitment to equal access to civil justice. |
| 9/21/2005 | The Nature Conservancy gave the firm its Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Volunteer Achievement. The firm was
lauded at The Conservancy’s Leadership Conference for our 25 years of navigating the legal complexities of an amazing array
of programs and projects. |
| 9/9/2005 | The State Bar of California awarded the team that worked on the Williams v. State of California case with the President’s Pro Bono Service Award. The award recognizes California attorneys who have provided legal services
to poor persons or organizations, without expectation of compensation from the client. |
| 7/21/2005 | The Public Law Center in Orange County awarded Beatriz Gordon with its Attorney of the Year Award for her tireless commitment
to pro bono work and the clients of the Public Law Center. |
| 6/28/2005 | The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs gave John (Jack) Corrado its Outstanding Achievement
Award for his representation of a deaf man who was denied a sign language interpreter while he was receiving medical care,
in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
| 3/31/2005 | The Innocence Commission of Virginia honored our attorneys in Washington DC and Northern Virginia for their assistance on
the Innocence Commission’s comprehensive study of wrongful convictions. |
| 3/2/2005 | California Lawyer magazine awarded San Francisco partner Jack Londen with the 2004 California Lawyer’s Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award in Civil Rights for his work on Williams v. State of California. |
| 1/31/2005 | The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area honored Peter Romo in San Francisco with its James T.
Caleshu Award for his extraordinary contribution in helping to build and run Legal Services for Entrepreneurs. |
| 1/25/2005 | The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area honored the firm with a special Election Protection
Award for establishing a call-center with 55 phone lines that addressed complaints and reports from voters regarding illegal
voting challenges, voting machine irregularities, voter registration problems, provisional ballots, and other issues that
prevented people from voting or having their vote count. |
