Pro Bono
Pro Bono Services
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (MLA) is deeply committed to providing pro bono legal services. We recognize that, as attorneys, we have a duty to help ensure that all people in our communities have equal access to our justice system regardless of their ability to pay for legal services. We believe that pro bono work and other community service are a key part of the professional responsibility of attorneys. We are proud of our long-standing tradition of using our legal talents and unique advocacy skills to serve the public interest.
Of Note
The MLA Pro Bono Committee awarded medallions to more than 80 lawyers and paralegals firmwide who performed at least 50 hours of pro bono service in 2010.
2010 Pro Bono service highlights included the following cases:
- In a temporary child custody case referred to the firm by the Children’s Law Center, MLA was successful in returning a special needs child to her aunt’s care following a custody suit initiated by the minor child’s biological father against the child’s mother.
- After more than a year of vigorous litigation on behalf of a family of four who lost their home to the wild fires that ripped through Southern California in 2003, the firm’s efforts resulted in the family being forgiven their mortgage debt, receiving a positive mark on their credit and a hefty down payment to begin searching for a new home.
- MLA received a favorable opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on behalf of a client who challenged a Board of Immigration Appeals order denying his Motion to Reopen immigration proceedings.
- In a case referred to MLA by the Legal Aid Society, we were successful in fully reinstating our client’s housing benefits after she had been wrongfully evicted from her home.
- The firm successfully sought improved access to health care for close to 1,000 residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C. As a result of the settlement, Home residents received increased access to on-site medical care, dental care, and prescription medications.