Blank Rome Recognized in D.C. Bar’s 2020 Pro Bono Initiative Report
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that our firm was recognized for its commitment to pro bono service in the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s recently released 2020 Pro Bono Initiative Report. Blank Rome is one of 65 D.C.-based signatory firms recognized for its pro bono service in 2020, contributing to just over one million collective hours of pro bono service performed in the Nation’s Capital.
“We are honored to be recognized for our firm’s commitment to pro bono service in the Washington, D.C., region,” said Barry Abrams, Partner and Chair of Blank Rome’s Pro Bono Committee. “Our firm has participated in the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Initiative since 2009 as part of the firm’s dedication to providing equal access to justice for all. We look forward to continuing to advance our pro bono mission through such important initiatives and programs to further promote the importance of pro bono work in the legal industry.”
Blank Rome began its longstanding tradition of encouraging and supporting pro bono service through our firm’s founding partner, Edwin P. Rome. Under the leadership of Barry Abrams, Chair of Blank Rome’s Pro Bono Committee, and Kathy E. Ochroch, Partner and Director of Pro Bono Services, our firm has a formal pro bono policy that requires each of our attorneys and paralegals to undertake at least 25 hours of pro bono service every year. During 2021, in celebration of Blank Rome’s 75th anniversary, our firm set a goal of at least 75 hours of pro bono service per attorney and paralegal. Led by our Washington, D.C., office co-chairs James D. Kelly and Shawn M. Wright, 56 of our firm’s D.C. office attorneys were named to the 2020 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, which recognizes individuals who provided 50 or more hours of pro bono service during the year.
The D.C. Bar established the Pro Bono Initiative in 2001, along with the chief judges of the District’s courts, to encourage the largest local law firm offices to increase pro bono legal services. In joining the initiative, firms agree to: set a minimum pro bono goal of either three percent or five percent of billable hours (or 60 hours or 100 hours per attorney) for the firm’s D.C. office; use management techniques to attain or exceed its goals; undertake new or increased pro bono activities; and report its progress annually to the center. For more information, please visit dcbar.org/pro-bono.