Law360
By Andrew Strickler
December 14, 2015
“Private equity firm Blackstone Group quietly launched a groundbreaking pro bono program for the industry this year, raising hopes among experts that the move will catch on in other corners of corporate America with little or no history of donating legal services.
“Working with a pro bono specialist at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, one of Blackstone’s outside firms, the idea to organize pro bono work grew out of a push in recent years to create a more collaborative, creative environment for a growing legal and compliance team, Blackstone leaders said.
“’It occurred to us that something we could do to enhance the environment and experience here, and something all the big firms offer, is provide this opportunity to do pro bono,’ said Peter Koffler, the firm’s chief compliance officer and general counsel for the hedge fund group. ‘Oh and by the way, it’s just a good thing to do.’
“The program, which is also open to nonlawyer members of the 85-member team, began modestly last year with 13 participants partnering with Simpson Thacher lawyers in a clinic that offers guidance to people launching new businesses.”