Thomas A. Gottschalk, for six years the Executive Vice President, Law and Public Policy of General Motors and formerly a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, received the Pro Bono Institute’s 2007 Chesterfield Smith Award. The award, which was presented on March 2 at a ceremony at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, recognizes extraordinary courage and commitment to pro bono by a legal leader. It is not given annually; rather, only when warranted by outstanding achievement.

As those who attended can attest, this year’s Seminar/Forum was an incredible experience. Participants in the sessions were brimming with ideas, and the event was alive with energy. As the largest gathering in PBI’s history, it was also a bit too crowded, but the caliber of the discussions and the quality of the participants made the space squeeze worth it.

Washington, DC—ACC was heartened to see Deputy Defense Secretary Charles “Cully” Stimson apologize for his statement that he believes corporations should take action against large law firms engaged in providing pro bono legal representation to detainees at Guantanamo. Corporate legal departments strongly support pro bono legal services offered by their legal staff and the law firms they retain. It is not only a professional responsibility of the bar, but ensures meaningful access to our justice system for all.

On November 17, 2006, the Pro Bono Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of ACC, the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, and the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley hosted a Pro Bono Legal Services Clinic at the Westin Hotel in Palo Alto. The event was sponsored by Baker & McKenzie. The Clinic attracted several volunteer corporate attorneys, and it was extremely successful in helping to resolve the legal issues of several clients in need.

A growing number of corporate counsel are finding career satisfaction, developing new skills and networking in their communities through pro bono work.

“Corporate pro bono is increasing dramatically across the board,” says Esther Lardent, president of Washington, D.C.-based Pro Bono Institute (PBI).