During the past two years, we have worked on matters ...
as diverse as death penalty cases, a class action case against the Department of Agriculture on behalf of women farmers, legal assistance for clients at the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, a number of US Supreme Court and state supreme court cases on behalf of women’s groups on domestic violence and privacy issues, and several immigrant rights cases, especially on behalf of juveniles.
Our commitment to work in the public interest dates from Arent Fox’s founding in 1942. The partners believed that community service and pro bono public interest work were integral parts of the practice of law and made it a priority to be at the forefront of the private bar’s efforts to ensure that indigents have access to justice.
This tradition continues today: Chairman Marc Fleischaker received the prestigious Whitney North Seymour Award in 2003 from the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. This award was presented in recognition of Fleischaker’s work on civil rights cases during his more than 30 years at Arent Fox.
We annually present the Albert E. Arent Pro Bono award to a lawyer or team of lawyers and a legal professional who demonstrate “outstanding contributions to public service.” Our most recent winners have devoted themselves to adoption and guardianship proceedings for neglected and at-risk children in the DC Family Court system as well as to assisting in the implementation of a cy pres program in NY to support civil legal services for the poor.
Pro Bono Committee Members
- Deanne M. Ottaviano, Chair, DC Partner
- Jerrold Abeles, LA Partner
- Jon S. Bouker, DC Partner
- Dennis J. Henderson, NY Counsel
- Wayne H. Matelski, DC/LA Partner
- Sarah G. Benator, LA Associate
- Jennifer L. Bougher, NY Associate
- Kristine J. Dunne, DC Associate
- Peter R. Macleod, DC Associate
- David S. Modzeleski, DC Associate