| Pro Bono |
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Debevoise has a deep and longstanding commitment to pro bono legal service. We strongly encourage our lawyers to participate in pro bono activities from their first days with the firm and support their pro bono work throughout their Debevoise careers. Work on behalf of pro bono clients involves all areas of our practice, and associates are free to work on pro bono matters outside their assigned practice areas, subject to Pro Bono Committee approval.
Pro bono work assignments are routinely available to all summer associates. In 2010, 85.1% of Debevoise summer associates participated in pro bono matters. Those with the firm for a substantial portion of the summer are also encouraged to participate in a firm-sponsored one- to two-week pro bono externship at one of a number of designated legal service organizations. In recent years, summer associates have been placed at the Vera Institute, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, the Legal Action Center, Mental Hygiene Legal Services, the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, the Housing Court Summer Assistance Project of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Legal Services NY, Pro Bono Net, Urban Justice Center, Bronx Defenders, CAMBA, Children's Rights, Citizens Committee for NYC, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Services, New York Immigration Coalition, South Brooklyn Legal Services, and WNYC Radio. Summer associates also have the opportunity to participate in the Sanctuary for Families Courtroom Advocates Project.
Pro bono matters often come to the firm through our relationships with local legal service providers such as inMotion, Inc., Sanctuary for Families, The Legal Aid Society, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Inc. and Human Rights First. These organizations provide training and mentoring, which is readily available to Debevoise associates. Associates are also welcome to bring matters to the firm for consideration by the Pro Bono Committee.
Recent pro bono projects have focused on international human rights, civil rights, the treatment of prisoners with mental illness, women's reproductive rights, death row cases, voting rights, discrimination claims, housing cases, and immigration and political asylum cases. We also provide legal services to "micro-entrepreneurs" starting small businesses in underserved neighborhoods, community development organizations, and many arts organizations.
Read more about our pro bono program.
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"Debevoise has a strong commitment to having a leadership role in the legal community. Everyone's always involved in various pro bono activities close to their hearts, giving lectures at various events and serving on various bar boards. There's a sense that we're part of a profession, with all the responsibilities that entails to our clients, to our colleagues at other firms and to our various communities."
Associate, Class of 2000
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