The Center for Pro Bono spoke with attorneys from Holwell Shuster and Goldberg about the firm’s pro bono work over the past 10 years. Law 360 recently ranked HSG first in the nation in their 2023 Pro Bono Rankings for firms with less than 100 attorneys. Law360 notes that the firm “posted prodigious numbers in all three scoring areas despite its small size.” In 2022, over 85% of attorneys at the firm participated in pro bono work. The Center spoke with Vincent Levy, partner at HSG and head of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, and Jayme Jonat, partner at HSG about the firm’s commitment to pro bono.
What is the pro bono structure at HSG?
Vince Levy: Our pro bono work comes into the firm in two ways. We have relationship partners that we have built relationships with over the years in areas such as immigrant rights, court pro bono programs such as the SDNY pro bono panel and the 2nd circuit pro bono panel, or organizations such as the ACLU. Our other pro bono work is driven by associates. When associates have areas of interest, we encourage them to strategize ways to get involved, either by handling a case from scratch or submitting an amicus brief.
What policies does the firm have to encourage pro bono work?
Vince: HSG has a culture where pro bono is encouraged from the top down. As a matter of culture, the firm encourages attorneys to have an active pro bono practice. We have a very collegial working environment at HSG. Pro bono is another opportunity for everyone to work on various types of cases and for associates to get mentorship opportunities. Partners are working pro bono as much as the associates. Attorneys at the firm have relationships with various courts and when pro bono opportunities come in from partners, if they are worthwhile causes and provide experience for associates, they encourage people to take it on.
Several of our more successful pro bono matters are appeals that involve writing a brief and then arguing the appeal. These are great ways for associates to take ownership of a case. When those cases come in, we will encourage associates to take those on. If there is pro bono work in a field where a shared interest exists, it’s another way to establish relationships between partners and associates.
How do attorneys find pro bono matters?
Vince: We hold monthly luncheons for anyone interested in pro bono. At the luncheons, we brainstorm cases and talk about opportunities. There is also a listserv we use to circulate opportunities. We also hold clinics with various organizations, which is another way to connect attorneys with opportunities.