Pro Bono Partnership Raised $1.75 Million at Its Gala

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Oct. 18, 2013 - PRLog -- The Pro Bono Partnership raised $1.75 million at its Gala on October 16 at Cipriani 42^nd Street in Manhattan. The Partnership provides free business legal assistance to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. For a second consecutive year, the Gala was sold-out.

Cynthia McFadden, Co-Anchor of Nightline at ABC News hosted the Gala.  The evening’s Honorees were H. Rodgin Cohen, Senior Chairman, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and Larry Thompson, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, PepsiCo. They were 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 were Dinner Chairs and Presenters.

Upon receiving the Pro Bono Partnership Champion Award, Mr. Cohen said, “I am truly honored to accept this award from the Pro Bono Partnership on behalf of not just myself, but the entire Sullivan & Cromwell pro bono program. In a world where the gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged is widening on a seemingly accelerated basis, we have a compelling moral obligation to support the less fortunate. For lawyers, our time is more valuable than our money. We have unique skills that are of greatest value for those who are least able to afford legal services.”

During his acceptance remarks, Mr. Thompson said, “I accept this award not just as an honor for past work, but as a reminder of why this work must continue.”

Rick Hobish, Executive Director, Pro Bono Partnership, said, “I am especially grateful to Rodge, Larry, Steve, and Indra. As a result of their dedication and hard work, we have the resources we need to continue providing our clients with legal services of the highest quality. And to our volunteers, your efforts are deeply appreciated and make an enormous impact in the lives of so many people throughout the tri-state area.”

The Pro Bono Partnership, itself a nonprofit, provides free legal advice to nonprofits on employment, real estate, intellectual property, and many other types of corporate matters. These clients provide vital services to the community including; food, housing, medical and mental health services, education programs, employment training, and others.  The Partnership leverages its legal staff by mobilizing 900 volunteer attorneys from major corporations and law firms each year.  The Partnership and its volunteers help nonprofits operate their programs more efficiently, while allowing them to dedicate their limited resources to providing essential services to the community.