Foster Garvey is pleased to release its annual pro bono report detailing the firm’s legal and community service contributions in 2021, a year rocked by political upheaval compounded by the ongoing pandemic. Foster Garvey attorneys responded to this calamity by doubling down on their efforts to provide hope and security to the firm’s pro bono clients. In addition to impact litigation work, Foster Garvey continued to focus on the firm’s core areas for pro bono services, including criminal justice reform and transformative justice, support to BIPOC community organizations, and immigrant rights.
In 2021, Foster Garvey attorneys contributed 3,890 pro bono hours valued at more than $2 million. Of those hours, 2,955 were in service to individuals of limited means and organizations primarily addressing the needs of these individuals. Additionally, Foster Garvey supported more than 150 community organizations through the firm’s pro bono legal services, charitable donations, and service on Boards.
The report highlights some of the firm’s significant pro bono successes in 2021, including:
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- Halting license suspensions due to inability to pay fines, as well as rescinding past suspensions and waiving mandatory relicensing fees for those who previously had their licenses suspended. This action resulted in an estimated 100,000 drivers in Washington having their licenses reinstated.
- Obtaining to the release from prison of a three-strike offender who had undergone extensive self-transformation and rehabilitation while in prison.
- Providing research and legal support to the Legal Reform Fund Project to increase gender parity in key countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
“2021 was a year of great uncertainty locally, nationally and globally, but the Foster Garvey team remained steadfast in its dedication to service by giving its time and talents to many worthy causes throughout the communities we live and work in,” said Malcolm Seymour, Co-Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono & Community Service Committee. “The firm’s pro bono efforts helped create opportunity, safety and community for our clients and each other in a time of great challenge,” said Committee Co-Chair Kelly Mennemeier.
While many attorneys from across Foster Garvey contributed to the firm’s pro bono efforts, there were 18 attorneys who dedicated more than 50 pro bono hours in 2021, earning them a spot in the Foster Garvey Pro Bono Honor Roll:
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*Exceeded 100 hours of pro bono legal service
Download the 2021 Pro Bono Report.
