Debevoise & Plimpton LLP pro bono counsel Jennifer R. Cowan has been awarded the 2021 Public Interest Law Leadership Award by The Legal Aid Society for her outstanding achievements overseeing the firm’s renowned pro bono program, through which Debevoise lawyers annually contribute 4,000 hours of free legal assistance to clients of The Legal Aid Society. For more information, please read The Legal Aid Society’s press release.

Ms. Cowan manages the firm’s award-winning pro bono program, which includes litigation, corporate and tax matters, and involves more than 800 pro bono matters each year. She also leads teams on a range of pro bono representations including civil rights, housing, immigration, and family law matters and mentors and provides strategic guidance to lawyers working on pro bono matters and, with the Co-Chairs of the Pro Bono Committee, sets the strategy for the firm's pro bono work.

Pro bono work has been central to the firm’s culture since its founding in 1931. Debevoise provides a wide array of pro bono legal services to marginalized communities and underserved populations on matters spanning from landmark international and national disputes to representations of low-income individuals. The firm also partners with clients on a range of corporate, litigation and tax pro bono matters in clinic settings, and on individual matters.