by Marcia Levy, Executive Director.
Recently, I was reminded in a very special way of the positive impact of our work. On October 18, nearly 700 of us gathered at Pro Bono Partnership’s annual gala at Cipriani on 42nd Street. The evening was festive and electric with the buzz of pro bono good cheer! As part of the celebrations, videos paid tribute to each of the honorees receiving Champion Awards — distinguished leaders from corporations and law firms who show a deep commitment and strong passion for helping nonprofit organizations through pro bono legal services. This year, the Partnership honored the corporations of Pfizer Inc., Prudential Financial, Inc., and United Technologies Corporation; the law firm of Hogan Lovells; and Steven M. Edwards, of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. Each honoree spoke from the heart, and all of us in the room felt their enthusiasm and emotion.
With the help of Valerie Jensen, Executive Director and Founder of the Prospector Theater, with Kris Mann, one of the Theater’s Prospects, we also held our very first Text-to-Donate campaign. I’m thrilled to announce that we raised close to $25,000 to support the provision of free legal services in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut! And guess what — it’s not too late to donate; just text “PBP” to 41444, and follow the link that you receive!
Excitement is still in the air at Pro Bono Partnership’s offices. Recently, we welcomed Lauran Susan D’Alessio of Merck & Co. to our esteemed board of directors as well as two new staff members — Staff Attorney Kristen Centre and Education and Outreach Assistant Rachel Sachs. On December 1, we will sign the lease to our new Long Island office on the campus of Touro College.
That’s what’s been happening, and we look forward to what’s to come at Pro Bono Partnership, including our 20th anniversary celebrations throughout the milestone year. (Check out our new celebratory logo!) We’ll look back at the layers that have shaped the Pro Bono Partnership of today, and look ahead to what’s to come as we enter our new decade post-strategic planning.
I am thankful for everything our nonprofit clients do on behalf of so many — the poor, immigrants, LGBT individuals and communities, families, the homeless and victims of domestic violence, to name a few. I am thankful that our dedicated volunteer lawyers will continue to provide essential counsel and advice to our clients so that each nonprofit can focus their resources and energy on their services. In partnership, we will do our part to making the world a better place.
With gratitude and joy,
Marcia
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Marcia reflects on the role of the nonprofit community come January in her timely piece, What Makes Me Certain…