Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
e-mail: communications@probonoinst.org
website: www.probonoinst.org

PBI to Honor Zurich North America and Laura J. Lazarczyk with the 2024 Laurie D. Zelon Pro Bono Award

Pro Bono Institute is pleased to honor Zurich North America and Laura J. Lazarczyk with the 2024 Laurie D. Zelon Pro Bono AwardPBI will present the Award at the Reception on Thursday, March 7, during the PBI Annual Conference. This annual award recognizes an individual’s or organization’s exceptional commitment to pro bono as demonstrated by exemplary engagement in pro bono legal services.

“The Zurich Legal Department and Laura have created a multifaceted pro bono program that has deepened with each year,” said Eve Runyon, President and CEO of Pro Bono Institute. “Their exemplary program stands out for the range of services it provides to its communities, from helping parents advocate for their children with disabilities, to assisting refugees seeking asylum, to advising nonprofit organizations, and more. PBI applauds Zurich and Laura Lazarczyk for their continued commitment to access to justice.”

“Our Zurich North America pro bono program is foundational for us,” said Laura Lazarczyk. “It enables us to give back in meaningful ways in the communities where we live and work and to experience the impact of our efforts in real time. And for our employees, it’s an opportunity to truly bond with each other, which makes us stronger together. For me personally, I gain inspiration whenever I participate and see our team in action. I believe we are all grateful for the opportunities to exercise our talents in such a positive way.”

Zurich North America’s Legal Department joined PBI’s Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® initiative in 2016. Zurich North America’s Pro Bono Program engages legal professionals across the organization who provide a broad range of volunteer services, including advising nonprofits, representing individuals in immigration proceedings, drafting estate planning documents, and much more.

The engagement of Zurich employees in the pro bono program exceeds national averages. For example, in 2023, 100 percent of Zurich’s U.S.-based lawyers in Legal Counsel roles volunteered to participate in the pro bono program. In 2023 alone, Zurich staffed 150 volunteer shifts in the U.S. totaling 500 pro bono service hours. In addition, Zurich is expanding its pro bono program globally by sourcing volunteer opportunities for colleagues in regions outside the U.S.

Pro Bono Clinics

Zurich attorneys and legal professionals regularly donate their time and skills to staff a pro bono clinics supporting various causes, including, but not limited to:

  • Assisting parents advocating on behalf of their children with disabilities in partnership with Equip for Equality.
  • Assisting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applicants with DACA renewal applications in partnership with the National Immigrant Justice Center.
  • Assisting Afghan refugees with asylum applications in partnership with the National Immigrant Justice Center.
  • Drafting powers of attorney and wills for the elderly and people with disabilities in partnership with the Center for Disability and Elder Law.
  • Assisting individuals with petitions for Criminal Records Relief in partnership with Legal Aid Chicago.
  • Triaging civil legal issues for individuals with limited means through Legal Aid Chicago’s Quarterly Virtual Pro Bono Clinic. Volunteers assist clients in a virtual setting across a broad spectrum of civil law issues, including landlord-tenant disputes, protective orders, custody disputes and others.
  • Advising nonprofit organizations on a variety of legal issues.

About Laura J. Lazarczyk

Laura J. Lazarczyk is the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for Zurich North America. She established Zurich North America’s Pro Bono Program in 2011, and is known for fostering a service mindset and culture of giving among her teams. Lazarczyk is responsible for the Legal Services team, which includes the Corporate Law, Canada Legal, Government & Regulatory Relations, and Legal Operations departments for all North America businesses. She previously served as the Head of the Zurich Women’s Innovation Network (WIN). Prior to joining Zurich in 2009, she was Chief Compliance Officer, Assistant General Counsel and Vice President, Human Resources at Rewards Network.

Outside of Zurich, Lazarczyk is a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform and a member of the U.S. Department of Treasury, Federal Insurance Office, Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance where she is Co-Chair of the Climate Subcommittee. She previously served a three-year term on the Federal Reserve Board Insurance Policy Advisory Committee and as Co-Chair of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association Legal Subcommittee.

Learn more about Zurich North America’s exceptional program bono work.

 

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About Pro Bono Institute

Founded in 1996, Pro Bono Institute (PBI) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization. With an unparalleled depth of knowledge, resources and expertise, PBI is the respected resource for all things pro bono. Through our work with law firms, in-house corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations, PBI is the global thought leader in exploring, identifying, evaluating, catalyzing, and taking to scale new approaches to and resources for the provision of legal services to the poor, disadvantaged, and other individuals or groups unable to secure legal assistance to address critical problems.