The Pro Bono Partnership announced that it has raised $1.7 million to date to provide free business legal assistance to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut through its Gala being held on October 16, at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan. For a second consecutive year, the Gala is sold-out.
Cynthia McFadden, co-anchor of Nightline at ABC News, will host the event. The Gala’s Honorees are H. Rodgin Cohen, senior chairman, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and Larry Thompson, executive vice president, Government Affairs, general counsel & corporate secretary, PepsiCo, who will each be presented with the Pro Bono Partnership Champion Award in recognition of their service to the community and outstanding commitment to the provision of pro bono legal services. Stephen M. Cutler, executive vice president & general counsel, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Indra K. Nooyi, chairman & chief executive officer, PepsiCo, are dinner chairs and presenters.
Rick Hobish, executive director, Pro Bono Partnership, said, “The Pro Bono Partnership is thrilled to have a sold-out Gala again this year. The board of directors, staff and I are grateful to our honorees and dinner chairs who have worked diligently to ensure the success of our Gala which will enable us to continue providing free legal services to nonprofits that offer vital services to our communities. We greatly appreciate everyone supporting the event and welcome nearly 800 leaders from the legal and corporate communities.”
The Partnership, itself a nonprofit, provides free business legal advice to other nonprofit organizations that feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, promote the arts, protect the environment and provide essential programs to children, adults and families. It leverages its legal staff by mobilizing the pro bono services of approximately 900 attorneys from major corporations and law firms throughout the tri-state area each year. These attorneys, who volunteer their services to the Partnership’s clients, help nonprofits operate their programs more efficiently, while allowing them to preserve their limited resources for programs that improve their communities. The Partnership provides nearly all its services without charge and will use the proceeds of the Gala to support its programs.