Debevoise & Plimpton LLP recently reached a milestone 1,000 hours of donated professional services to the land preservation group Scenic Hudson. The group has recognized Debevoise partners and attorneys for their commitment to sustainability and leadership in pro bono initiatives.
For six years Scenic Hudson has received expert and highly responsive legal counsel from Debevoise that has saved the nonprofit time and resources while enhancing its ability to protect and restore the Hudson River and its riverfront as an irreplaceable national treasure for America and a vital public resource for residents and visitors. Scenic Hudson is the largest environmental and land preservation organization focused on the Hudson Valley. The services have included contracts and liability issues, and the effort has been led by Debevoise Partner Sarah A.W. Fitts, whose duties include serving as co-chair of the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources Group. Ms. Fitts is a Scenic Hudson board member and was recently honored by the National Law Journal as an “Energy & Environmental Trailblazer.” She also is cited as a leading attorney by Chambers Global, a highly regarded research service ranking the best lawyers since 1990.
Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said, “Scenic Hudson’s seminal environmental victory in saving Storm King Mountain resulted from innovative and exacting legal work. The case is credited with launching the modern grassroots environmental movement. During its 50-year history, Scenic Hudson whether preserving land, shaping development along the Hudson or battling environmental threats always has required legal expertise. Debevoise has continued that tradition and helped us achieve results that matter for the Hudson Valley. The firm’s attorneys have provided frequent, at-a-moment’s-notice guidance with a level of professionalism and friendliness that has underscored their commitment to our cause and the relationship they’ve formed with us.”
Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley’s inspiring beauty and natural resources. To date Scenic Hudson has created or enhanced more than 65 parks, preserves and historic sites up and down the Hudson River and conserved more than 35,000 acres. www.scenichudson.org
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.