Cleary Gottlieb's Pro Bono Practice Receives Multiple Honors

Cleary Gottlieb’s pro bono practice was recently honored for outstanding service with awards from Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS), Housing Conservation Coordinators (HCC) and The Legal Aid Society of New York.

The first honor was presented on October 6 by VOLS for legal work fulfilling the firm’s Pro Bono Pledge. The VOLS Pro Bono Pledge asks law firms to pledge an average of 30 hours or more of qualifying pro bono work per lawyer. Cleary Gottlieb has met or exceeded that pledge since its inception nearly 20 years ago. The Honorable Jonathan Lippman, Chief Judge of the State of New York, presented the VOLS Pro Bono Award to Cleary Gottlieb and other qualifying firms during a reception celebrating VOLS’ 25th anniversary. VOLS is a public interest law firm that develops pro bono projects and provides direct legal services to vulnerable populations in New York.

Cleary Gottlieb was then honored on October 22 by HCC, a public interest law firm that works to protect safe, decent and affordable housing on Manhattan’s West Side. HCC presented Cleary Gottlieb with a Volunteer and Leadership Award at its fourth annual Volunteer and Leadership Awards Reception. Cleary Gottlieb was honored for the firm’s work helping a tenants’ association of a 47-unit, two-building low income limited equity co-op in reviewing the co-op partnership agreement and understanding the tax credit issues in order to help the tenants prepare to take control of the co-op.

The final honor was given on October 26. Three Cleary Gottlieb associates were recipients of The Legal Aid Society of New York’s 2009 Pro Bono Publico Awards recognizing outstanding service to the Legal Aid Society and its clients for their outstanding work for a Williamsburg couple starting their own small grocery store. The team helped the two small business owners incorporate their company, drafted an operating agreement, and advised on corporate governance and tax compliance.

These recognized initiatives are part of the more than 65,000 hours that Cleary Gottlieb dedicates to pro bono and public service efforts annually.