Legal News

BigLaw Stepping Up on Haiti Aid

By Ashby Jones

Above the Law’s David Lat was right on the money Wednesday when he gave BigLaw props for “stepping up to the plate and providing aid when major disasters strike.” It’s true: when it comes to disaster help — and charitable giving more generally — big law firms time and time again rise to the occasion.

And in regard to the Haiti earthquake, it’s no different. As ATL wrote on Wednesday, Paul Hastings agreed to pony up $100,000 to Doctors Without Borders — Haiti Earthquake Response.

On Thursday, news of other BigLaw charitable contributions continue to reach us. The efforts so far vary in their amounts, but all should be applauded for stepping up. A quick roundup:

Skadden Arps: Skadden will make an “aggregate donation” of $100,000 to organizations providing relief in Haiti. The donation will be comprised partly of an initial contribution to relief organizations, and an additional fund under which the firm will match individual employee contributions of up to $500.

Kirkland & Ellis: The Kirkland & Ellis LLP Foundation, its attorneys and staff have given an initial $100,000 to help recovery efforts. The contributions will benefit the American Red Cross and an orphanage in Haiti called Grace House of Hope for Girls.

Holland & Knight: The Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation will hold a firmwide “Casual Day for a Cause” to benefit the Haitian disaster relief. The firm will match individual contributions up to $100,000 and donate it to the American Red Cross.

Morrison & Foerster: The Morrison & Foerster Foundation has launched a matching program for donations made by Morrison & Foerster attorneys and staff to support charitable relief efforts in Haiti. The Foundation will match donations in support of Haiti earthquake relief up to a combined total of $10,000.

Sonnenschein: Anyone who wants to wear jeans to work on Friday must pay $5 to the Rural Haiti Project. The firm says one of its associates is a board member and co-founder of the organization.

UPDATES (1/14):

Morgan Lewis: Morgan Lewis Thursday told employees that the firm would match their contributions to the American Red Cross up to $100,000.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed: Hughes Hubbard is working to raise funds on behalf of UNICEF and will also be making a financial contribution. Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $15,000.

Weil Gotshal: Weil Gotshal announced Thursday that it will immediately make a contribution of $100,000, spread among three organizations with which the firm has an ongoing relationship - American Red Cross, Save the Children and Oxfam. In addition, Weil is doing an internal fundraising drive and expects that overall contributions will be over $200,000.

Dewey & LeBoeuf: Dewey & LeBoeuf announced on Thursday it too would give $100,000 to the Haiti relief efforts, spread among four organizations: the American Red Cross, the Center of Hope — Haiti; Doctor’s Without Borders; and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Hogan & Hartson: The firm will match contributions made by all firm personnel to the American Red Cross Haiti earthquake relief effort up to $100,000.

Latham & Watkins: Latham & Watkins will match contributions made by firm personnel to any of the following relief organizations: Red Cross, Haiti Relief and Development Fund, Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health, CARE, and World Vision. The firm will match all contributions up to a combined total of $200,000.

Venable: The Venable Foundation is donating approximately $30,000 to the relief effort and is encouraging individual donations from attorneys and staff.

Akin Gump: Akin Gump is making a $50,000 donation — $25,000 to the American Red Cross and $25,000 to Mercy Corps. In addition, the firm will match donations from lawyers and staff up to $50,000.

That’s what we have for now. If we missed your firm, don’t fret or send us angry emails. Just let us know what you’ve done and we’ll add your name to the list.

If other LBers are interested in giving to the Haiti relief efforts, click here for a WSJ primer on what’s needed (hint: cash), and organizations looking for donations.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on January 14, 2010 (boomark / email).