Media Mentions
2008
Sana Abdullah and Kevin M. Bolan were mentioned in the August 4 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in an article regarding the Michigan Department of Human Services' agreement to establish a Children's Services Administration as part of a settlement in a federal class action lawsuit. Ms. Abdullah and Mr. Bolan served on the McDermott pro bono team that helped to secure the victory for abused and neglected children in Michigan.
Sana Abdullah, Kevin M. Bolan, Pro Bono, Trial
Edward P. Leibensperger was quoted in the August 4 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in an article regarding the Michigan Department of Human Services' agreement to establish a Children's Services Administration as part of a settlement in a federal class action lawsuit. Mr. Leibensperger led the McDermott pro bono team that helped to secure the victory for abused and neglected children in Michigan. As for taking on the case, Mr. Leibensperger noted "I had indicated my interest in getting involved in a systemic reform case."
Edward P. Leibensperger, Pro Bono, Trial
2007
On November 12 the Los Angeles Daily Journal highlighted the McDermott Will & Emery litigation team, which received the Pro Bono Services Award at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Access to Justice Dinner. Partner Elizabeth Mann and Firm Chairman Harvey Freishtat, along with the McDermott litigation team, were photographed receiving the award.
Harvey W. Freishtat, Elizabeth D. Mann, Pro Bono, Trial
Todd Solomon and Brett Johnson were profiled in an article featured on the Legal Assistance Foundation’s website for a pro bono case they handled which secured nearly $400,000 in pension benefits for a 61-year-old woman. The pro bono team spent more than 90 hours working on the case that led to negotiating a settlement that reinstated the client’s benefits.
Brett R. Johnson, Todd A. Solomon, Pro Bono
Jocelyn D. Francoeur was mentioned in a September 18 article by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin regarding the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision to issue a new trial to Felix Vasquez - Ruiz. Ms. Francoeur argued the case before the 7th Circuit on behalf of Mr. Vasquez - Ruiz.
Jocelyn D. Francoeur, Pro Bono, Trial
Guy Collier was mentioned extensively in the Summer 2007 issue of Richmond Law, the magazine of the University of Richmond School of Law, Mr. Collier’s alma mater The article, "Pro bono 'For the Public Good,'" profiles Mr. Collier’s role as a leading advocate for a project that matches older, senior lawyers with pro bono opportunities.
H. Guy Collier, Health, Pro Bono
Stephen Ryan was quoted in the March 25 The New York Times on the Justin Berry pro bono case.
McDermott was mentioned on page one of the Sunday, February 25 Boston Globe in regard to assisting pro bono client Bedside Advocates. Toby Kusmer, Stephen Bernstein and Kaley Klanica comprise our pro bono team.
Stephen W. Bernstein, Toby H. Kusmer PC, Pro Bono
Bill Boies was recognized in the January 2007 issue of CBA Record for his involvement as chair of the Cy Pres Committee of the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF). Cy pres awards, which are made by the courts from money left unclaimed in class action lawsuits, have been a significant source of funding for CBF legal aid and public interest law initiatives.
Wilber H. Boies PC, Pro Bono, Trial
2006
McDermott was mentioned in a Los Angeles Times article on December 21 as pro bono counsel for tenants in a landlord-tenant dispute regarding unsafe living conditions
An interview with H. Guy Collier was featured in the Washington Lawyer's December issue on the Senior Lawyer Public Interest Project, an initiative of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program. Mr. Collier serves as vice chair of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program and heads the Senior Lawyer Public Interest Subcommittee.
H. Guy Collier, Health, Pro Bono
Eugene Goldman was interviewed on the WUSA television channel 9 news on November 17 in regard to a pro bono case he is handling on behalf of a the Equal Rights Center of Greater Washington and individual plaintiffs against the District of Columbia Lottery board, alleging that it is granting lottery licenses to stores that are inaccessible to disabled citizens in violation of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). McDermott is partnering with the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights on this representation. McDermott summer associates gathered our evidence and surveyed hundreds of lottery sites for compliance with ADA requirements. To view the story, visit http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=53731.
Eugene I. Goldman, Pro Bono, Trial
As president-elect of the D.C. Bar, Melvin White appeared as a guest on "D.C. Law...Today" on Sunday, November 5. He discussed his background, the pro bono work of the Firm, and his priorities as president of the D.C. Bar.
The following McDermott attorneys were recognized by The Door on its Pro Bono Honor Roll: Kevin Bishop, Philip Canelli, KC Goyer, Lisa Linsky, Daniel Mullen, Christine Pepe, Leila Pittaway, Lynn Roland, Carolyn Schiff, Ann Schofield, James Sullivan and Meishin Yueh. The Door is New York City's premier youth development agency, offering unique and highly effective programs for young people ages 12 to 21. The Door's mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment.
Kevin J. Bishop, Philip C. Canelli, Kathryn C Goyer, Lisa A. Linsky, Daniel A. Mullen, Lynn M. Roland, Carolyn T. Schiff, James M. Sullivan, Meishin Yueh, Pro Bono
James Sullivan was recognized by Human Rights First as an Asylum Representation Program Volunteer as a result of the work he did for pro bono clients who were granted asylum and other forms of relief in 2005. Mr. Sullivan is listed on Human Rights First's Pro Bono Attorney honor roll on the organization's website. Human Rights First is a leading human rights advocacy organization based in New York City and Washington, DC, which finds pro bono legal repreresentation for the organization's clients who have fled from political, religious, ethnic, and gender-based persecution in countries plagued by human rights violations.
Michelle Manzo was mentioned in the October 31 issue of The Los Angeles Times in connection with her pro bono representation, along side tenant-rights group Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, of Los Angeles renters who launched a campaign against their landlords seeking damages, as well as their building to be repaired and before that is done, for a judge to order the landlord to live in the building for two nights as punishment.
Michelle Manzo, Pro Bono, Trial
A pro bono case led by Evan Parke was reported on in the October 23 issue of The National Law Journal. The case is a class action against three term paper websites and its owners for alleged theft of academic work. Mr. Parke commented, "This type of issue where you have rampant unauthorized use of someone else's information is widespread on the internet, and it's just now beginning to be dealt with."
, Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Pro Bono
Geoffrey A. Vance has been recognized in Law Bulletin Publishing Company's 2006 "40 Under Forty" feature publication as one of 40 Illinois lawyers under the age of 40 to watch. Honorees were selected on the basis of outstanding career achievements, rising quickly within their practices and making contributions to the community. Mr. Vance was recognized for his outstanding lawyering for small companies and pro bono clients. He was credited for "treat[ing] each of his clients, large and small, wealthy and poor, as if that client is his most important one."
Geoffrey A. Vance, Pro Bono, Trial
A McDermott pro bono asylum case, led by Dawn Connelly, was profiled in the July 30 issue of the Chicago Sun-Times.
, Pro Bono
Our London office was mentioned in the Daily Telegraph on June 1 in connection with its legal work on a celebrity recipe book, Soup Kitchen, compiled to raise money for homeless charities. To date, it has raised £52,000.
Ned Leibensperger was quoted as president of the Boston Bar Association in an editorial in the February 19 issue of The Boston Globe supporting a state legislature bill that would assist public interest lawyers with their educational debt.
Edward P. Leibensperger, Pro Bono
2005
Ankur Goel was quoted in the June 28 issue of the Washington Post in regard to Schaffer v. Weast, a dispute between parents of a student with disabilities and the Montgomery County, Maryland school district, to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court this fall.
McDermott, led by Richard Smith, filed an amicus brief in support of the respondent in Town of Castle Rock, Colorado v. Gonzales. Numerous publications reported the case on June 28, including Legal Times, which quoted Mr. Smith. "The decision is an open invitation to states to stand up and really take domestic violence seriously, and not force victims to rely on the federal Constitution to protect them." USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle and WashingtonPost.com reported on the case, quoting Mr. Smith: "The second tragedy in this case could very well be that victims of domestic violence will read this opinion to mean that protection orders are not worth the paper they're printed on, and that impression would be false." He also participated in an online debate on www.ScotusBlog.com.
Richard W. Smith, Pro Bono, Trial
Ankur Goel was quoted in the June 28 issue of Education Week regarding Schaffer v. Weast, a dispute between parents of a student with disabilities and the Montgomery County, Maryland school district, to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court this fall. Mr. Goel commented that he believes the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) places a strong obligation on school districts to search out students in need of special education services and schools have the resources to defend their educational programs.
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the June 10 issue of the Miami Daily Business Review in regard to the recognition of our Miami office by the Legal Services of Greater Miami as a recipient of its Law Firm Leadership Award. The article also reported on our partnership with Legal Services to support children's legal services: "In addition to a financial contribution of $10,000, the firm has agreed to handle supplemental security income disability cases and special education cases for disabled children on a pro bono basis."
Amanda Metts was quoted in The Boston Globe on June 5 in regard to our pro bono representation of Peter Vaughn, who was wrongfully convicted for armed robbery in 1983 and was acquitted and released in 1986 when the Appeals Court of Massachusetts reviewed his case.
Richard Smith was quoted in the March 19 online edition of Newsweek ("A Matter of Restraint") about the constitutional due process ramifications of police failures to enforce domestic violence restraining orders. In the first domestic violence case ever heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, McDermott filed an amicus brief on behalf of a number of law enforcement associations in support of the plaintiff in Town of Castle Rock, Colorado v. Gonzales. The amicus brief supports Jessica Gonzales's argument that the local police violated her constitutional rights in ignoring her request to enforce her restraining order against her estranged husband. In the Newsweek article, Mr. Smith reiterated the police organizations' collective position on the matter: "It's simply not the way we expect police to behave."
Richard W. Smith, Pro Bono, Trial
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned on February 4 in a PR Newswire entitled Free Income Tax and Student Ad Preparation Available to Low-Income Working Families as a supporter in the Tax Assistance Program through financial assistance and volunteerism.
2004
McDermott Will & Emery was recognized by Northwestern University School of Law's Children & Family Justice Center on April 22 for the Firm's contributions to juvenile justice and education. McDermott, along with two other law firms, received honors for their extensive voluntary legal work to represent juveniles charged with misdemeanors and felonies and to help children being expelled or suspended from Chicago public schools. The Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reported this recent recognition.
2003
David Fuller was profiled in the November 28 issue of the Washington Business Journal. The two page spread, “Journal Profile: Paving the Way,” focused on Mr. Fuller’s efforts to start a project to help parents understand tax advantages and reduce the costs associated with adoptions. The article discussed how David's interest in this project was a result of going through the adoption process himself.
David R. Fuller, Executive Compensation, Fringe Benefits, Pro Bono, Tax
The June 23 issue of the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly reported that Alternatives for Community and Environment honored lawyers from McDermott Will & Emery for pro bono work. The Firm filed suit against Massachusetts Water Resources and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission on behalf of community residents to ensure the clean up of a sewage spill.
Susan Schaefer was mentioned in the April 21 issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin regarding her involvement in fundraising for the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Ms. Schaefer is one of a few law firm partners serving as team captains for the nonprofit organization's annual Tag Days fund raiser.
Susan Peters Schaefer, Pro Bono
McDermott Will & Emery Miami office was mentioned in the February 1 issue of Florida Bar News in regard to implementing the firm wide MW&E: Kids First pro bono initiative in its office.
MW&E: Kids First was profiled by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on January 21. This pro bono initiative focuses on helping children in need to make sure they receive appropriate public education and remain in school.
2002
McDermott Will & Emery's Washington, D.C. office was mentioned in the October 7 issue of Legal Times in regard to participating in the third annual "Lawyers Pitch In," softball tournament, which raises money for the Washington Legal Clinic.
Donald Hilliker was mentioned in the October issue of the Chicago Lawyer in regard to being named president of the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.
Donald B. Hilliker PC, Pro Bono
Donald Hilliker's appointment to serve as president of the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago was reported by the Illinois State Bar Association News on September 17.
Donald B. Hilliker PC, Pro Bono
Donald Hilliker's appointment to serve as president of the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago was reported by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on September 5.
Donald B. Hilliker PC, Pro Bono
The success of the Firm’s Chicago office tutoring program was reported in the June 18 issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. The students at William H. Brown Elementary greatly improved their reading performance over the past year with some help and encouragement of more than 60 McDermott Will & Emery tutors. "They went from being on the mayor's watch list to being on the top-10 list of schools most improved in reading," commented Linda Doyle. The improved reading level was determined from the results of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Washington, D.C. office was mentioned as receiving the School-to-Career Championship Award from the D.C. public school system in the April 22 issue of Legal Times.
Michael Sommer was quoted in the January 18 issue of Newsday regarding the success of McDermott's pro bono representation of Sami Leka, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of murder in February of 1988. Mr. Leka was recently freed after 10 years in prison. McDermott Will & Emery, led by Mr. Sommer, successfully represented Mr. Leka on a pro bono basis last July, overturning his murder conviction.
Michael S. Sommer, Pro Bono, Trial
2001
Jeffrey Stone was quoted in the December 4 issues of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and the December 3 issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin regarding the successful pro bono representation of the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board against Judge Oliver M. Spurlock. In the opinion handed down by the Illinois Courts Commission, Judge Spurlock was removed from his Cook County judgeship for sexual harassment and misconduct. Judge Spurlock is the first Cook County judge to be removed from the bench by the Courts Commission in more than 25 years.
Jeffrey E. Stone, Pro Bono, Trial
The "MW&E Partners in Reading" program received front page coverage in the October 2 issue of The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. "Lawyers will be turning pages for a different purposes," announced the Chicago office's tutoring program as part of the Firm's nationwide pro bono initiative. For the remainder of the school year, more than 30 lawyers and staff from the Chicago office will tutor third grade students at William H. Brown Elementary School on a weekly basis with a focus on reading. Don Hilliker, chair of the pro bono committee and Linda Doyle, member of pro bono committee, were quoted in the article regarding the successful participation of the office and the potential of the program.
Don Hilliker, noted as the chair of the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, was quoted in the August 2001 issue of the ABA Journal regarding a current Nevada ethics rule that requires every lawyer included in a law firm name to be a member of good standing with the Nevada state bar. Mr. Hilliker points out that Nevada is the only state with such a rule, but that it is a choice of the state bar.
Donald B. Hilliker PC, Pro Bono, Professional Responsibility, Trial
Michael Sommer was quoted in the July 16New York Times, New York Law Journal, New York Post and Newsday regarding a pro bono victory handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in connection with a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The legal team, led by Mr. Sommer, including Robert Rice and Tomasita Harrison, had been representing Mr. Leka since he filed his petition (nearly three and half years ago) regarding a 1988 conviction of murder and weapons charges. Mr. Sommer commented on the injustice of concealed evidence and the "very disturbing" nature of the prosecution's conduct in connection with the original trial.
Michael S. Sommer, Pro Bono, Trial
Jeff Stone was the prosecuting attorney, representing the Judicial Inquiry Board, in a highly publicized Chicago case. The case, involved Cook County Associate Judge Oliver Spurlock in regard to charges of sexual harassment, was front page news in the Chicago Sun Times several times during the week of June 11, and was the lead story in the Chicago Law Bulletin every day the week of June 4. Mr. Stone was mentioned and quoted in the articles numerous times, including excerpts from the arguments he presented in the courtroom.
Jeffrey E. Stone, Pro Bono, Trial
Jeff Stone was quoted in the June 9 issue of the Chicago Tribune in his representation of the Judicial Inquiry Board in the disciplinary hearing surrounding Cook County Associate Judge Oliver Spurlock and his alleged "sexually intimidating and inappropriate" conduct toward six female court employees.
Jeffrey E. Stone, Pro Bono, Trial
Michael Pope was mentioned in the June 2001 issue of Chicago Lawyer in regard to presenting $476,660 in grants to 14 non-profit organizations as president of The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation.
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the March 5 Pro Bono Digest column of theNew York Law Journal in regard to the Firm's recent pro bono project with the Volunteers of Legal Service Microenterprise Project.
