Promotion Reflects Luke Liss’ Leadership and Wilson Sonsini’s Pro Bono Growth
Contact:
Kelsey Dellovo
Baretz+Brunelle
339.223.0961 Mobile
kdellovo@baretzbrunelle.com
PALO ALTO, CA (February 15, 2022) – Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, announced today that Luke Liss has been promoted to the newly created management role of Pro Bono Partner and was unanimously elected as a member of the firm’s partnership.
Liss, who is currently based in Palo Alto, will manage Wilson Sonsini’s global pro bono efforts, including serving as the primary contact for client requests for pro bono partnerships and developing collaborative relationships with nonprofit service providers. Working in collaboration with the Pro Bono Committee and recently appointed Senior Pro Bono Counsel Tonia Klausner, he will also ensure that the firm provides attorneys with high-quality pro bono experiences and appropriate training and guidance. In addition, Liss will continue to lead pro bono litigation and immigration teams.
“We feel strongly that having a Pro Bono Partner further demonstrates our commitment to providing access to justice and supports our long-term vision for our people, our clients, our communities, and our culture, and we can’t think of anyone better suited for the role than Luke,” said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. “We are confident that the firm’s pro bono program will continue to be in good hands under his leadership in the years ahead.”
“I am incredibly thankful to the Wilson Sonsini community for this opportunity—to stand shoulder to shoulder with amazing colleagues and leadership that is so dedicated to providing excellent service to our clients, and that have stood so strong through this pandemic while thriving and evolving as a firm community,” said Liss. “Having the privilege to advocate and practice law—and use our skills to give back—just inspires me every day.”
Liss previously served as a Senior Litigation Counsel and Pro Bono Counsel, a dual role he assumed in 2018. Under his leadership, Wilson Sonsini’s pro bono program has recently grown more than 54 percent and has received significant recognition from numerous nonprofits. Liss has also been instrumental in advancing several pro bono initiatives, including those related to racial justice, sustainability, immigration, and domestic violence survivors, and he has facilitated pro bono collaborations with multiple clients.
Further, Liss has played an active leadership role on impact litigation pro bono teams, including a trial win on behalf of the largest class of Medicare beneficiaries in history (recently upheld on appeal) and in obtaining a historic verdict against one of Colombia’s most notorious paramilitary leaders for human rights crimes.
Liss originally joined Wilson Sonsini as a summer associate in 2005 and was hired as a litigation associate the following year. He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2006 and a B.A. in political science, cum laude, from the University of Oregon in 2003.
About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini’s services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has offices in Austin; Beijing; Boston; Brussels; Hong Kong; London; Los Angeles; New York; Palo Alto; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Shanghai; Washington, D.C.; and Wilmington, DE. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.