The PBI Wire
October 24, 2014
“This year, Merck & Co., Inc.** marked an important milestone as one of the oldest in-house pro bono programs in the nation. While in-house pro bono has seen tremendous growth, 20 years ago only a handful of trailblazing departments offered department-sponsored pro bono opportunities for their lawyers and other professionals. Merck was one of those few, and to commemorate the the 20th anniversary of its pro bono program, the department hosted a celebration at its headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J., on October 15. Representatives from Pro Bono Institute (PBI) and Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO), the global partnership project of PBI and the Association of Corporate Counsel, were privileged to attend the celebration, which included remarks from U.S. Senator Cory Booker; Merck President, and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth C. Frazier; Merck Executive Vice President and General Counsel Bruce N. Kuhlik; and PBI President and CEO Esther F. Lardent.
“During the half-day celebration, the presenters congratulated the Merck volunteers and the department’s pro bono partners for their dedication throughout the years. Merck created its formal pro bono program in 1994, when then-Senior Vice President and General Counsel Mary M. McDonald challenged attorneys within the Office of General Counsel to heed their professional obligation to provide “equal justice” to the impoverished and disadvantaged. Seven patent attorneys and three administrative associates, based in Rahway, N.J., were inspired by this call to action and volunteered to provide direct legal assistance to individuals struggling with bankruptcy and family law issues. Since then, Merck’s pro bono program has grown to include 175 lawyers and legal staff across 10 countries.”