2 minute read
November.02.2022
Bloomberg Law today named Orrick to its inaugural list of Pro Bono Innovators, citing the establishment of our novel racial justice fellowship program and work fighting for voter protections in the 2020 election.
In this Q&A feature, partner Marc Shapiro and Pro Bono Counsel Rene Kathawala discuss the development of the fellowship program last year and the impact the first group of fellows had working with our partner organizations. We created a first-of-its-kind model embedding experienced associates with those organizations for a full year supported by the firm.
"The fellowships are an experiment with a more immersive and meaningful approach to pro bono impact" said Marc, who chaired Orrick’s racial justice fellowship committee. "In establishing a racial justice fellowship program, it was fairly novel to dedicate this level of senior resources to pro bono—but the times called for it"
Earlier this year, Chairman and CEO Mitch Zuklie announced the firm would continue the fellowship program for at least another three years and five Orrick associates are currently serving as fellows this year.
Partner Amy Walsh also spoke to the publication about the firm’s leadership role in shutting down a robocall campaign designed to discourage black voters from participating in the 2020 election. “Our singular goal was to decisively shut down their racist campaign of disinformation, which they intended to threaten our democracy and rule of law,” Amy said.