National Law Journal
May.01.2019
Orrick has been named for the second consecutive year to the National Law Journal’s Pro Bono Hot List, which recognizes lawyers and law firms that “pair their purpose with their practice.” It is the fourth time Orrick has been named to the list.
In this feature on the 2019 list, the publication highlighted Orrick’s major pro bono wins in the past year, including a closely-watched U.S. Supreme Court ruling that protected thousands of immigrants from arbitrary deportation practices; a trial win on behalf of Planned Parenthood that kept Kentucky’s last remaining abortion clinic from being shut down by state officials; our decade-long work seeking justice for California death row inmate Kevin Cooper; two major appellate wins for veterans’ rights; and our global work documenting persecution against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.
Rene Kathawala, the firm’s Pro Bono Counsel, cited Orrick’s strong track record of pro bono service – 99 percent of our U.S. lawyers and 79 percent of our international lawyers met the ABA’s 20-hour standard in 2018. Partner Josh Rosenkranz, head of Orrick’s Supreme Court and Appellate Practice, and partner Brian Goldman also discussed their immigration rights win in Sessions v. Dimaya.
Brian told NLJ the most satisfying aspect of the case was “hearing from all corners of the country what a difference this decision made in people’s lives.”
Partner Karen Johnson-McKewan, who represented Planned Parenthood in the Kentucky case, described the importance of pro bono work for lawyers. “Social responsibility is important, both to me and the firm,” she said. “Helping pro bono clients get closer to their own goals is deeply rewarding, personally and professionally.”
The Hot List is the latest recognition of Orrick’s commitment to making a social impact through pro bono service. American Lawyer last year ranked the firm #3 for pro bono impact among the nation’s top 200 law firms.