The Pro Bono Institute’s 2007 Annual Gala “Partnering for Justice” was a great event at which to catch up with law firm and corporate legal department leaders. Held at New York City’s Gotham Hall on November 6, the event brought together more than 475 guests to celebrate partnerships to expand and enhance pro bono service between and among corporate legal departments, major law firms, and public interest groups.
Following a crowded but convivial reception, the gathering was treated to a fast-moving and inspirational dinner program, comprised of notable speakers, the presentation of two pro bono awards, and the premiere of several specially-commissioned video profiles of successful pro bono partnerships. Lester Holt, the weekend anchor of NBC News and the Today Show, expertly guided the audience through the program while establishing a rapport from the podium in his role as emcee. Featured speakers included the Gala Co-Chairs: Robert G. Abrams, Partner, Co-Chair Global Litigation, Howrey LLP; James B. Buda, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Caterpillar Inc.; Peter J. Kalis, Chairman and Global Managing Partner, K & L Gates, and; Bradford L. Smith, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Microsoft Corporation.
Peter Kalis of K & L Gates brought a global perspective to the gathering by asking that “we, as a group of American lawyers, we stand as one in tribute to our brave Pakistani colleagues, who in defense of the rule of law, are risking their lives in the streets of Pakistan.” Dinner guests answered with an affirmative standing ovation.
James Buda and Bob Abrams neatly captured the spirit and intent of the evening by noting the power of effective partnerships to close the access to justice gap and provide advocacy for the poor and powerless. As the final speaker of the evening, Brad Smith of Microsoft energized the crowd with the challenge, “And, yet, we have to ask ourselves not only how do we do more and how do we do better, but one other question as well. To the extent that we succeed, how do we make it sustainable?” One answer Smith offered was to look at existing pro bono programs that have learned, adapted, and excelled to find ways that today’s lawyers can create strong legacies of pro bono service that will continue to flourish in the future.
Interspersed with the speakers’ remarks were original videos highlighting the pro bono programs of Starbucks Corporation, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Intel Corporation, United Parcel Service, Inc., and Aetna Inc.
The evening’s program also included the presentation of the John H. Pickering Award for outstanding pro bono service to Arnold & Porter LLP, which was accepted by the Firm’s Chair, Thomas H. Milch, and presented by William J. Perlstein, the Co-Managing Partner of the firm that Pickering founded, now known as Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. Laura Stein, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Clorox Company, announced the winners of the 2007 CPBO Partner Award – the legal department of 3M Company and the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota.
In concluding the program, Lester Holt graciously thanked the audience, noting, “As always, you are cordially invited to call Esther and her team at the Institute if you’d like to learn more about anything you’ve seen tonight.” To view a selection of photographs from the 2007 Pro Bono Institute Gala, go to the Institute’s website.
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