Category: Spotlight

The Williams Companies*, a nationwide energy company based in Tulsa, Okla., has a strong pro bono program.  The program’s success is due in large part to the support and encouragement of its past and present general counsels. Elder Care Adopting one of the most efficient pro bono service models, the Williams legal department has committed to handling all of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc.’s (Oklahoma Legal Aid) cases concerning estate planning and other end-of-life issues for the elderly poor in its community.   For several years, the University of Tulsa Law School operated a clinic providing free legal services

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company** adopted a formal pro bono program in 2007.  Members of the legal department gathered to discuss opportunities, potential obstacles, and how the program should be structured and then presented a proposal to Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Governance Officer Pat Hatler. She embraced the team’s ideas and recommendations, and the legal department kicked off its pro bono program by co-hosting a Clinic in a BoxSM program with CPBO.  The clinic brought together nearly 40 lawyers, paralegals, and administrative staff to provide legal assistance to central Ohio nonprofit organizations.  The success of the clinic provided a

LexisNexis is a leading global provider of business information solutions to a wide range of professionals in numerous industries.  Under the leadership of Ken Thompson, a staunch supporter of pro bono, the LexisNexis legal department has undertaken a number of impactful pro bono initiatives. Southern Africa Litigation Center In 2007, LexisNexis launched its first pro bono project, which offers support to the Southern Africa Litigation Center (SALC).  SALC trains attorneys, supports human rights cases, and carries out other programs to advance the rule of law.  In partnership with local lawyers and human rights NGOs, SALC identifies the specific constitutional and

CPBO ChallengeSM Signatory Verizon Communications Inc. officially launched its pro bono program in late 2009.  Already, the department has exceptionally high pro bono participation rates with attorneys and staff participating in offices across the United States.  So far in 2011, nearly half of Verizon’s attorneys are participating. Under the program, the company’s more than 700 attorneys and staff are encouraged to volunteer a minimum of 25 hours per year.  The department is fortunate to be under the leadership of a true pro bono devotee, Executive Vice President and General Counsel Randal Milch.  The program is chaired by John Frantz, Verizon’s vice

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has been a pro bono leader among Canadian companies. RBC’s success is in large part due to the support of Executive Vice President and General Counsel David Allgood.  Under his supervision, in 2007, RBC adopted a formal pro bono policy and its program has continued to flourish.  With approximately 150 lawyers worldwide, the legal department has provided a wide variety of work for nonprofit organizations, including assistance with incorporation, governance, charitable tax status, employment and real estate issues, legal risk assessments, and the development of policies.  In addition, RBC is involved in a variety of impactful

Good corporate citizenship is a top priority at Ford Motor Company.  It’s with that in mind that Ford encourages its employees to spend up to 16 hours of regularly scheduled work time each year participating in volunteer activities.  Within the legal department, the Ford Pro Bono Committee, with the support of Group Vice President and General Counsel David Leitch, ensures that Ford attorneys and other legal department staff have access to a variety of pro bono opportunities.  These engagements include time-limited clinics as well as longer term projects.  Ford volunteers participate in the following pro bono clinics:

When the legal department at AT&T formed its pro bono program in 2009, it sought to provide opportunities for its attorneys throughout the United States.  In 2010, the department restructured its program and developed regional pro bono committees to better support its attorneys in different areas around the nation. To ensure a unified program, the department also formed an executive committee to oversee the regional programs efforts.  With support from Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel Wayne Watts, the program has undertaken many pro bono projects across the country. In 2010, nearly 100 AT&T lawyers were involved in more