13-02-025 Pro Bono Report 2011-12-2.Indd

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

13-02-025 Pro Bono Report 2011-12-2.Indd PROPRO BONOBONO Review & Recognition ryan Cave strongly encourages all of our lawyers to engage in pro bono work. Pro bono matters are treated with the same care as any others we take on, and the service provided to our pro bono clients is of the same quality delivered to all fi rm clients. BBryan Cave’s pro bono priority is to off er legal services benefi ting persons and organizations of limited means and to advocate for civil rights, human rights, civil liberties and public rights. Bryan Cave’s work includes civil rights and public rights law, asylum and immigration cases, child abduction matters, health law, real estate issues, death penalty and other criminal cases, counseling charitable organizations, and many other areas involving the administration of justice. Referrals from local legal services agencies and work for non-profi t organizations make up much of Bryan Cave’s pro bono time. Bryan Cave is a charter signatory to the Pro Bono Institute's Law Firm Pro Bono ChallengeSM, a unique global aspirational pro bono standard. Developed by law fi rm leaders and corporate general counsel, the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge articulates a single, unitary standard for the world's largest law fi rms. Charter signatories acknowledge their institutional, fi rmwide commitment to provide pro bono legal services to low income and disadvantaged individuals and families and non-profi t groups. “Refl ecting one of the long-standing traditions of our profession, Bryan Cave's core values include a commitment to making a diff erence in our communities and society. We have a special obligation to make our professional skills and assistance available to those who cannot aff ord to pay for legal services, and our dedication to providing excellent service extends to all of our clients, including those we represent on a pro bono basis. Our lawyers and staff contribute those things we have in abundance – legal expertise, passion and a deep desire to help meet the needs of underserved people." - Bryan Cave Chairman Don Lents Pro Bono By the Numbers Although the fi rm does not require attorneys to devote a minimum number of hours per year to pro bono matters, Bryan Cave strongly encourages all of its lawyers to engage in pro bono work. 35,872 = Total number of pro bono hours for lawyers and non-lawyers in 2011 39,106 = Total number of pro bono hours for lawyers and non-lawyers in 2012 36 = average pro bono hours per U.S. attorney in 2011 and 2012 Bryan Cave Pro Bono Review & Recognition 2011-2012 2 Pro Bono Leadership 2011-2012 Pro Bono Committee Members “It is our willingness to collaborate and strategize about new and more eff ective ways to make a diff erence in our communities that truly distinguishes Bryan Cave in our pro bono commitment.” Ellen Bonacorsi, Senior Counsel, St. Louis – Firmwide Chair William Hibsher, LeeAnn Jones, Herb Kohn, Partner, New York Counsel, Atlanta Partner, Kansas City Stuart Lark, Gerry Ortbals, Partner, Colorado Springs Of Counsel, St. Louis 3 2011-2012 Pro Bono Offi ce Coordinators Gupinder Assi, Ketrina Bakewell, Jennifer Dempsey, Counsel, London Partner, St. Louis Partner, Atlanta Chris Dueringer, Ed Fields, Alex Grimsley, Partner, Santa Monica Counsel, Dallas Partner, Phoenix Steve Gurr, Phil Karmel, Tom Kreamer, Partner, Denver Partner, New York Of Counsel, Kansas City Lee Marshall, Patrick McKey, Dan Schwartz, Partner, San Francisco Partner, Chicago Partner, Washington, D.C. Brett Souza, Partner, Irvine Bryan Cave Pro Bono Review & Recognition 2011-2012 4 Overview of 2011-2012 Pro Bono Projects Over the past two years, Bryan Cave has contributed those things the fi rm has in abundance – legal expertise, passion and a deep desire to help meet the needs of underserved people. While it is impossible to describe all of the varied ways in which Bryan Cave has embraced pro bono work, the projects outlined in this report highlight key matters to which Bryan Cave has devoted extensive time and resources. Joplin, MO Reconstruction On May 22, 2011, the city of Joplin, MO was struck by a catastrophic tornado. Th e event destroyed signifi cant portions of the town and created the largest insurance event in the state’s history with payouts estimated at roughly $2 billion. Working with the Legal Aid Society of Western Missouri, Bryan Cave immediately dispatched 15 attorneys to the relief center, providing emergency assistance to victims with information ranging from individual landlord tenant issues and matrimonial matters, to real estate and business insurance questions. To provide longer-term assistance to businesses, attorneys worked with civic leaders to create and fund a non-profi t organization, “Joplin Tomorrow,” to aid in reconstruction eff orts. Spearheaded by Partner and former United States Senator John Danforth, the ongoing eff ort has raised more than $1.5 million to revitalize the city. Unhampered by SBA rules, the organization was able to be more generous in lending the working capital needed to navigate through the long recovery period. 5 Missouri Housing Development “Th e Bryan Cave attorneys Commission settled the case in record time. I was very fortunate A team of lawyers from our St. Louis offi ce was instrumental in a landmark to have such an excellent decision by the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC). Eff ective Jan. 1, 2013, the MHDC no longer allows Missouri landlords to team. My call to Bryan increase rent in the middle of a lease term. Th is development will protect Cave was a shot in the tenants in properties receiving tax credits from MHDC – and especially dark. I used to drive a senior citizens and people with disabilities living on fi xed incomes – from unexpected rent increases during the lease. Bryan Cave’s team represented Pepperidge Farm bread seniors living in complexes which had a record of implementing mid-lease truck that made deliveries rent increases. After receiving tenant complaints about mid-lease rent to the Bryan Cave dining increases, the MHDC began requiring that landlords have prospective tenants sign a disclosure form, called Exhibit X “Mid-lease Rent Increase room, so when the time Lease Addendum,” if a landlord wanted to be able to implement mid- came to fi nd a lawyer that’s lease rent increases. However, many senior citizens who live on a fi xed who I called. It certainly income cannot pay for increases in rent that occur during the middle of the lease. Bryan Cave met with MHDC and other interested parties and a paid off .” few months later, the MHDC changed its policy and notifi ed managers of properties receiving MHDC credits that, eff ective January 1, 2013, rents Harold Weintraub, may not be increased during a tenant’s lease term and that Exhibit X can pro bono client in the no longer be used to authorize such increases. MHDC case Foundation for Innovations in Medical Education Th e Bryan Cave New York offi ce provided pro bono help to form the Foundation for Innovations in Medical Education at the request of Einstein Medical School Professor Howard Kerpen. Dr. Kerpen was nominated by the New York Medical Society as “Teacher of the Year.” Th e foundation Bryan Cave formed aids with bringing medical research and education into the community. Under one current project, medical residents will teach children and parents in a lower- income school district with a high child obesity rate about healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle. Bryan Cave Pro Bono Review & Recognition 2011-2012 6 Florida vs. U.S. In May 2011, Florida enacted signifi cant changes to the state’s election code by placing restrictions on organizations’ ability to conduct voter registration drives; reducing the number of days in the state’s early voting period; and eliminating the ability of registered voters who had recently moved between counties to provide notice of their change of address on Election Day and still cast a regular ballot. Because fi ve Florida counties were subject to the 1965 Fedral Voting Rights Act, Florida was required to obtain pre-clearance of the voting law changes and chose to pursue approval of the changes in court. Bryan Cave, as well as the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Brennan Center for Justice, represented the League of Women Voters of Florida and National Council of La Raza, who intervened on the side of the U.S. Justice Department to oppose the controversial new voting law restrictions. In August 2012, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a lengthy decision in the case, which was a signifi cant victory for our clients. In its decision, the Court denied Florida’s request to drastically reduce the opportunities for Florida voters to cast early, in-person votes, concluding that Florida had failed, as we had argued, to carry its burden to establish that such a change was neither enacted with a discriminatory purpose nor would have a discriminatory (or “retrogressive,” in voting rights parlance) eff ect. Th e parties subsequently reached a resolution of all remaining claims that included Florida amending its early in-person voting requirements that preserved previous in-person voting opportunities for the citizens of Florida. In October 2012, the parties entered into a stipulation dismissing all pending claims with prejudice. Family Equality Council In 2011 and 2012, the Bryan Cave LGBT lawyers affi nity group continued its ongoing pro bono representation of the Family Equality Council – a national organization that connects, supports, and represents the one million parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender in this country and their two million children. During those two years, 40 Bryan Cave lawyers worked on Family Equality Council matters.
Recommended publications
  • Bryan Cave CIS Team International Commercial Dispute Resolution About Bryan Cave
    A Broader PerspectiveSM Bryan Cave CIS Team International Commercial Dispute Resolution About Bryan Cave The Firm Bryan Cave LLP is a leading international law firm with a strong reputation based on over 135 years of success. Our more than 1,100 lawyers and other professionals practise in a wide range of disciplines from our 24 offices around the world. We do interesting and challenging work for a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. We pride ourselves on proactive, solution-oriented work in every major area of interest to clients. London Office For 30 years our London office has successfully practised English and US law advising on the full range of legal services to a broad base of international clients. The firm is regulated by the Law Society of England and Wales. We regularly provide legal support for complex cross-border transactions and multi-jurisdictional disputes. Such matters are key not only for our European practice, but also for our worldwide practice. Successful performance in such matters is ensured by the fact that along with lawyers specialising in one particular area we also have professionals knowledgeable un multiple disciplines. Such combination of legal talent is not often found in other law firms and which allows us to fulfil our clients’ objectives and meet their expectations. International Dispute Resolution Practice Our international dispute resolution practice in London is recognised as one of the most thriving and successful practices within the firm. A strong and vibrant team provides a comprehensive dispute resolution service encompassing court litigation and international arbitration in England and elsewhere.
    [Show full text]
  • Bryan Cave Pro Bono Attorneys 2009
    PRO BONO REVIEW & RECOGNITION | 2009 Bryan Cave Pro Bono Review 2009 Bryan Cave strongly encourages all of our lawyers to engage in pro bono work. work Pro bono matters are treated with the same care as any others we take on, and the service provided to our pro bono clients is of the same quality delivered to all fi rm clients. Bryan Cave’s pro bono priority is to offer legal services benefi ting persons and organizations of limited means and to advocate for civil rights, human rights, civil liberties and public rights. Bryan Cave’s work includes civil rights and public rights law, asylum and immigration cases, child abduction matters, health law, real estate issues, death penalty and other criminal cases, counseling charitable organizations, and many other areas involving the administration of justice. Referrals from local legal services agencies and work for non-profi t organizations make up much of Bryan Cave’s pro bono time. PProro BBonoono RRevieweview & RRecognitionecognition 22009009 — 1 Overview of 2009 Pro Bono Projects In 2009, Bryan Cave contributed those things we have in abundance – legal expertise, passion and a deepdeep desire to help meet the needs of underserved people. While it is impossible to describe all of the varied ways in which Bryan Cave has embraced pro bono work, the matters outlined in this report illustrate our fi erce dedication to this cause. Representing Underserved Veterans Court Individuals and Communities In July 2009, a team of Bryan Cave attorneys met with representatives of Kansas City’s local Veterans Administration to form a partnership to provide pro bono legal The fi rm takes pride in working to meet the needs of underserved services to returning veterans in need.
    [Show full text]
  • European Corporate Trust Team for Disputes and Proceedings
    BRYAN CAVE CORPORATE TRUST – EUROPEAN CORPORATE TRUST TEAM FOR DISPUTES AND PROCEEDINGS Bryan Cave Corporate Trust introduces European Corporate Trust Team for Disputes and Proceedings Our European Corporate Trust Team for Disputes and Proceedings represents and supports OFFICES Bond Trustees, Security Trustees and other service providers such as cash managers in the various Atlanta differences and disputes that can occur during the life of a transaction. Boulder In particular, Bryan Cave’s substantial experience in the origination of securitisation transactions Charlotte and their structure, including CMBS, RMBS and CLOs, means that we are well placed to advise on Chicago the construction of transaction documents when differences of interpretation arise. Colorado Springs Dallas Our European Corporate Trust Team for Disputes and Proceedings focuses on disputes and Denver proceedings. It comprises a mix of transaction and documentation expertise with litigation and Frankfurt dispute resolution specialisms. Our experience includes Part 8 Claims and all aspects of the advice Hamburg that a Trustee or other service provider requires to ensure that it is properly protected. In addition Hong Kong to the advice we give on a particular issue, we are able to provide dedicated workshops and training Irvine to our clients and contacts and their in-house teams. Jefferson City Kansas City Our European Corporate Trust Team for Disputes and Proceedings principal contacts: London London: Paris: Frankfurt: Los Angeles Miami New York Ioannis Alexopoulos Joe Smallhoover Tobias Fenck Overland Park 44 20 3207 1306 33 1 44 17 77 10 49 69 509 514 1104 Paris [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Phoenix San Francisco Shanghai Ed Marlow Constantin Achillas Singapore 44 20 3207 1287 33 1 44 17 77 34 [email protected] [email protected] Southern Illinois St.
    [Show full text]
  • Sports & Entertainment M&A Practice
    Sports & Entertainment M&A Practice Bryan Cave is ranked among the top 10 legal advisors for M&A work involving a U.S. target, and we have significant M&A experience in the sports and entertainment industry. The clients we represent in this area include buyers, sellers, intermediaries and advisors, and we are annually ranked as one of the most active law firms in the United States based upon number of transactions completed. We have the depth of capacity and experience in each of our offices needed to meet our clients’ needs. We are experienced in assembling the types of multi-disciplinary teams which can be required for successful completion of a transaction, and regularly call upon other Bryan Cave lawyers for assistance in areas such as financing, tax, human resources, intellectual property, environmental and other regulatory matters. As a consequence, they are attuned to the needs of a transactional project. Representative transactions include advising clients in connection with acquisitions and sales of, and investments in, professional sports franchises in each of Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL and the NHL, Major League Soccer, the Pacific Coast League and various minor league baseball franchises, and various arenas and entertainment businesses, including the following: Professional Sports Franchises and Their Owners Major League Baseball (MLB) • Arizona Diamondbacks – in two separate deals, represented the owners of the Diamondbacks in the sale of their minority ownership interests in the team • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
    [Show full text]
  • Bryan Cave LLP Combines with Holme Roberts & Owen
    Bryan Cave LLP Combines With Holme Roberts & Owen LLP December 06, 2011 December 6, 2011 – The international law firm Bryan Cave LLP and 113-year-old, Denver-based Holme Roberts & Owen LLP (HRO) will combine their practices effective Jan. 1, 2012, following a recent vote by the partners of both firms. Globally, the firm will continue to be known as Bryan Cave LLP. The combination will add exceptional legal capabilities in energy, natural resources and sports law to Bryan Cave’s international resources while expanding the firm’s worldwide presence into the Rocky Mountain region and adding significant new depth and experience in California. The combined law firm will have more than 1,100 attorneys in over 30 law and professional service offices around the globe. It is expected to rank among the 25 largest in the world. “Combining with HRO represents a unique opportunity for both firms to expand the resources we can offer to our clients while reinforcing a shared culture dedicated to superior client service,” said Don G. Lents, chairman of Bryan Cave. “Extending our geographic reach while expanding the range of our services in California are important steps in our firm’s long-term growth. We are very pleased to have as our colleagues lawyers coming from a firm with the stature of HRO, a name that has been synonymous with the highest-quality legal work in its region for more than a century.” Page 1 of 4 Based in Denver, HRO also serves clients from offices in Boulder, Colorado Springs, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
    [Show full text]
  • Doing Business in the UK
    Doing Business in the UK www.bryancave.com | A Global Law Firm Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................1 Business Organisations .................................................................................5 Directors’ Duties ..........................................................................................13 Investment and Security ..............................................................................16 Investment Funds ........................................................................................20 Capital Market Fundraising .........................................................................25 Taxation .......................................................................................................31 Employment .................................................................................................43 Business Immigration ..................................................................................52 Pensions and Employee Benefits ................................................................55 Intellectual Property ....................................................................................62 Data Protection ............................................................................................68 Imports, Export Controls and Sanctions ......................................................73 UK Bribery Act 2010 ....................................................................................77
    [Show full text]
  • Bryan Cave Adds Three-Lawyer Team to Paris Office
    Bryan Cave Adds Three-Lawyer Team to Paris Office September 1, 2016 Paris, September 1, 2016 – The international law firm Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com) today announced the addition in the firm’s Paris office of a three-lawyer, integrated team. Antoine Martin has joined as partner, Mathieu Taupin has joined as counsel and Baudouin Gueyffier will join as an associate, effective 27 September. They will practice with the firm’s Transactions Client Service Group. Martin is actively engaged in all aspects of corporate/M&A matters. He advises on share and asset acquisitions and disposals, corporate reorganizations and cross- border transactions. These transactions often focus strongly on complex carve-outs or distressed asset transactions, involving negotiations with French state agencies and local authorities. He also focuses his practice on private equity transactions, acting for institutional investors, managers and portfolio companies. Martin holds an MBA from HEC Business School in Paris and a degree in English and U.S. law from the Sorbonne University. Taupin is particularly experienced in handling complex carve-out issues and processes, frequently in the context of divestment or distressed transactions for or from industrial players and within various markets, such as automotive, packaging, metal industry, food and agribusiness. Taupin holds an LL.M from University Paris XI and a post-degree in business law from University Paris XI-Essec. Page 1 of 3 Gueyffier focuses on general corporate law, both domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and private equity. He holds degrees in private international and business law from Paris II Panthéon-Assas and Lyon III.
    [Show full text]