Manatt provides “aspirational model of pro bono involvement”.
At the 2014 Volunteers for Justice Dinner, the Public Law Center will honor the Orange County office of Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, LLP as the Law Firm of the Year for their tremendous pro bono efforts in a wide array of cases, including immigration, domestic violence, refugee/asylum, fair housing, and consumer advocacy.
The annual dinner will be held on Monday, June 16 at Hotel Irvine (formerly Hyatt Regency Irvine).
“This past year, Manatt stood out amongst our list of amazing law firm partners by increasing their pro bono hours commitment to PLC clients by 150 percent,” said PLC Pro Bono Director Kirsten Kreymann, “Manatt attorneys also continued to expand the range of legal issues they handled, and devoted increasing resources to areas like LGBT asylum.”
Manatt lawyers are now leaders in the area of LGBT asylum. They took on time-consuming cases helping clients who were victimized and assaulted in their home countries of Mexico and Honduras find safe harbor in the United States.
Manatt lawyers also worked on U visa petitions. This category gives victims of serious crimes the ability to temporarily stay and work in the United States. Clients requiring this type of protection have been victims of some of the most heinous crimes, such as rape, torture, trafficking and false imprisonment. The clients must also help the government learn more about the crimes so the U.S. can pursue the perpetrators.
Similarly, Manatt attorneys have helped juveniles seeking special immigrant status. These children have been abused, abandoned or neglected by their parents. Winning such a petition means the child can legally remain in the U.S. and hopefully live a better life.
On other fronts, Manatt attorneys are trying to preserve $54 million for local affordable housing through a suit against the state. They also are helping small businesses and nonprofits through our Community Organizations Legal Assistance Project. Manatt attorneys have staffed PLC’s Federal Pro Se Clinic at the District Court in Santa Ana. Last year they consulted with 17 litigants who were representing themselves. Manatt has even provided interpretive services for clients who struggle with English, allowing PLC staff to serve even more limited-English proficient clients.
“Manatt attorneys have far exceeded expectations and provide an aspirational model of pro bono involvement for all members of the bar,” PLC Executive Director & General Counsel Ken Babcock said. “Manatt devotes at least 3 percent of its attorneys’ billable hours to nonprofits and needy clients; and gives pro bono matters the same attention, staffing, and resources as their commercial matters, which is an incredible commitment and of immense value to PLC and the Orange County community.”
The 2014 Volunteers for Justice Dinner will also honor PLC’s Attorney of the Year and Community Partner of the Year. To see pictures from the 2013 Dinner, which drew nearly 1,000 attendees and raised over $700,000, please click here.