For the public good. As well as our own. Pro bono. We’re all familiar with the term, but how often do we stop and think about what it really means? Literally translated, it means “for the public good.”
At Finnegan, it is also for the good of our clients, our lawyers and staff, and our community. We believe that giving back is also an opportunity to receive knowledge, expertise, experience, and the good feeling one gets from helping others.
To us, pro bono isn’t just a program. It’s a state of mind. And it’s a way of life. That’s why our involvement is as varied and diverse as the professionals at our firm. We don’t restrict programs to just a few that senior management deems worthy. We let our professionals tell us what is important to them and where they feel they can best put their passion and expertise to good use. More than 40 percent of our lawyers are actively engaged in pro bono activities. We credit up to 100 hours per year toward an associate’s billable hours goal. For those who choose more involved pro bono work such as litigation, the additional hours are rewarded and credited toward merit bonuses.
Some may think that a firm focusing solely on intellectual property is limited in the type of pro bono work it can take on. The exact opposite is true. Finnegan’s IP professionals are intellectually curious, talented individuals who enjoy new challenges. We handle highly complex “bet-the-company” IP matters for some of the world’s largest companies and organizations, and we bring the same level of focus, skill, and commitment to achieve the best possible outcomes in the pro bono matters we undertake. The results are highly rewarding. Our lawyers sharpen their skills by litigating criminal and civil cases, negotiating agreements and settlements, and working hand-in-hand with community non-profit organizations to address their constituencies’ legal issues. We help give voice to artists, children, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, tenants, veterans, and others in need.
Here is a look at some of the organizations and programs that our pro bono program supports:
Veteran’s Assistance Program
Finnegan has one of the most, if not the most, extensive pro bono programs serving the needs of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. More than 85 attorneys and staff participate in Finnegan’s pro bono program serving disabled military veterans. The program focuses on appeals in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. We review approximately 300 pre-screened Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) decisions each year. Since the program commenced in July 2008, the firm has handled more than 1,000 appeals.
Read more about our Veteran's Assistance Program
Children's Law Center
We handle many cases at the request of CLC on behalf of both children and adults. The cases typically involve adoption or guardianship of neglected children, contested custody, guardian ad litem representation of children, and other family law issues. Many of the cases require night and weekend time, visiting families and observing interaction between parents and children. We also helped CLC establish and implement its training program.
Asylum Representation Program
One of our longest-established pro bono efforts, this program provides assistance to refugees who have fled their home country for racial, religious, ethnic, political, or social reasons and are now facing deportation from the United States.
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
In one of our newest pro bono efforts, Finnegan represents government employees—including whistleblowers who have been fired or mistreated for reporting misconduct—in appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).
Innocence Project
The Innocence Project aims to reform the criminal justice system by using DNA testing to exonerate those who were wrongfully convicted. Working with the New England Innocence Project, Finnegan secured a victory in a landmark pro bono case in which our client was granted a new trial after 33 years of incarceration. Our client was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 1986. Eight years of investigation, motion practice, and DNA testing culminated in a motion for new trial filed in 2017, which was granted in November 2018. The Commonwealth has not yet indicated whether it will seek to retry the case.
The firm also works with the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project to review dozens of convictions based on faulty expert testimony regarding hair analysis and matching. Additionally, the firm is working with the national Innocence Project to submit an amicus brief to the Connecticut Supreme Court regarding admissibility standards for expert testimony.
Litigation Mentor Program
This unique program combines service to the community with top-notch litigation training. Barbara Butterworth, who leads the effort, previously served as Deputy Director and Adjunct Professor of the Juvenile Justice Clinic of Georgetown University Law Center, and she has extensive criminal trial experience. The program enables our up-and-coming trial lawyers to accept court appointments as defense counsel with training, assistance, and encouragement from Barbara and other experienced litigators at the firm. Barbara serves as co-counsel and gives our lawyers a thorough grounding in the rigors of the courtroom and jury persuasion tactics as they represent their indigent criminal defendants in local courts.
The program expanded to Virginia in 2008, when the U.S. District Court in Alexandria approved our request to start a program. The program allows our lawyers to handle pro bono criminal cases in conjunction with the Federal Public Defender's office.
Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts
We serve on WALA’s board and for several years took full-time responsibility for the WALA pro bono referral program, matching volunteer lawyers with over 1,000 people from the arts community who needed legal advice or representation.
Legal Aid Society
We helped Legal Aid develop its litigation training program, and we are on its volunteer attorney list to assist on cases ranging from landlord-tenant to child custody disputes.
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs
One of the firm’s partners serves on the Committee’s board of directors. In addition, Finnegan provides financial support to assist the Committee with cases and projects involving issues of discrimination, poverty, and education reform both in and outside the D.C. metro area. Additionally, Finnegan is working with the Committee on ways to provide legal support to the Committee’s projects.
D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center
The Bar looks to us as a resource for support when it is in need of an experienced litigation firm. Our attorneys handle many cases referred to us through the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, including Landlord Tenant matters. Additionally, Finnegan attorneys volunteer their time on Saturdays at the Advice & Referral Clinic as well as the Immigration Clinic of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center. More than 50 of our attorneys are recognized each year on the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Trademark and Copyright Pro Bono Program
Through a grassroots referral network, our lawyers have provided pro bono trademark and copyright advice to organizations ranging from non-profit community organizations to artists and innovators.
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto
The firm’s Palo Alto office partners with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto to help tenants who are facing eviction. The organization pairs pro bono attorneys with pro se tenants for representation during settlement negotiation conferences, which are mandatory in San Mateo County before an eviction case goes to trial. After hearing their clients’ side of the story, the attorneys predict defense arguments that could be raised at trial and then use them as leverage in the negotiations to try and reach a favorable settlement for the tenant.
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