In partnership with Start Small Think Big, Cleary Gottlieb has developed a suite of financial relief resources and training modules for attorneys assisting small businesses with legal issues relating to COVID-19 and the CARES Act.
Since the program’s launch in mid-March 2020, Cleary attorneys have also provided dozens of pro bono financial relief consults in multiple languages to small business owners regarding their options. In one notable consultation, the firm advised a Yemeni entrepreneur who bought a deli in New York City’s East Village neighborhood this past February. Although he and his small staff remain open for business, his shop’s revenues have decreased sharply; he’s now facing significant unpaid utility bills and had questions about the types of financial relief available to him.
Cleary attorneys in the firm’s New York and Washington, D.C. offices, associates Albert Alsaygh and Graham Bannon, responded to this client’s request for assistance immediately. During the consultation, Albert and Graham talked to their client about the options available–all while Albert translated the guidance into Arabic–and have continued to provide follow-up assistance.
Cleary is proud to apply its multicultural, cross-office approach to every matter and project, pro bono or otherwise. We are extraordinarily proud of our attorneys’ commitment to providing accessible support to our clients, no matter the language or geography.