Impacting Lives and Communities

Since the firm’s founding in 1931, our pro bono work has been central to our culture. We have focused on helping underserved and vulnerable communities tackle social problems and solve complex legal issues. Through our pro bono efforts, we fight in court to ensure laws are evenly applied. We provide our experience—both as lawyers and as members of our communities—to social service organizations working to create positive change for marginalized groups. We forge alliances with global corporations who share our dedication to increasing equality and opportunity for all. And we come to the aid of individuals who need legal assistance to overcome hurdles and start new lives. We are deeply committed to continuing the tangible progress our pro bono work has made in strengthening our communities.

To learn more about our commitment, download our pro bono brochure.

Firm Recognition

Others have taken note of our deep and longstanding commitment to pro bono legal service.

• Debevoise Partner John Kiernan Honored by Volunteers of Legal Services with Lifetime Service Award
• Debevoise Honored by The Legal Aid Society as Recipient of the 2019 Honorable Jonathan Lippman New York Pro Bono Publico and Public Service Law Firm Award
• Debevoise Honored at 2019 James Beard Foundation Gala

Our Pro Bono Work in Focus

• Debevoise Advises Easy Solar in Closing $5 Million Funding Round to Scale Operations in West Africa
• Debevoise Advises Brooklyn Historical Society in Its Combination with the Brooklyn Public Library
• Debevoise Advises City to Sea as it Relaunches Refill App
• Debevoise Secures Significant Policy Change on Behalf of Transgender and Non-Binary New Yorkers
• Debevoise Files Amicus Brief in Fight Against Fee-Based Voting Eligibility
• Debevoise and ILF Secure Release of Unjustly Imprisoned Young Afghan Woman
• Debevoise Client Impact 100 London Awards First Grants
• Debevoise Secures Historic Release of Death Row Inmate after Victory before the International Court of Justice
• Debevoise Advises as Impact 100 London is Launched
• Debevoise, Democracy Forward, RAICES and CLINIC Announce Milestone Victory
• Debevoise Achieves Landmark Settlement in Transgender Rights Suit in Oregon
• Debevoise Participates in New York City’s Inaugural Career Discovery Week
• Debevoise Hosts Naturalization Screening Clinic with D. E. Shaw and Legal Services NYC
• Debevoise Video Highlights Work with the Center for Reproductive Rights at the UN