On September 14, 2018, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati joined eight other U.S. law firms in announcing a groundbreaking initiative to deliver free legal services worth $15 million by 2020 to advance sustainability across the globe. The first-of-its-kind initiative, Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, offers pro bono legal assistance to entrepreneurs and community-based non-profits taking on key sustainability challenges across multiple economic sectors, in energy, transportation, and land use. The new initiative was announced in San Francisco at the Global Climate Action Summit.
Wilson Sonsini and six other Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy founding members committed to provide legal services worth at least $2 million by the end of 2020. The participating firms will provide a range of legal services to clients, which may include advising on incorporation, corporate governance, contracts, real estate, IP protection, privacy-related issues, regulatory matters, structuring advice for financing and investment, tax advice, and litigation. Each law firm's voluntary commitment will be implemented in a manner consistent with the firm's own pro bono and conflicts rules and policies.
The firms' announcement drew resounding praise from leaders in the U.S. legal community, from academia to the public sector. Led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, state attorneys general from around the nation voiced their support and enthusiasm for the potential impact of the firms' commitment.
"As a founding member, Wilson Sonsini is committed to LSE's success and inspired by its mission," said Wilson Sonsini partner Bob O'Connor. "We're also proud to join Attorney General Becerra and the many others supporting this important cause."
Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy will connect participating law firms with entrepreneurs associated with qualified organizations that are seeking pro bono legal services. The types of entities with the potential to qualify for support include:
- Nonprofit organizations serving the needs of marginalized, disenfranchised, or disadvantaged groups in a way that advances a sustainable economy
- Nonprofit organizations securing or protecting civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights, which include environmental and public health matters
- Other nonprofits involved in grantmaking or education efforts related to advancement of a more sustainable economy;
- For-profit entities focused on advancing a sustainably economy and begun by low-income entrepreneurs who, as individuals, are income-eligible for pro bono legal services; and
- Mission-aligned for-profit entities that are formed and operate primarily to advance a sustainable economy.
For more information about Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, please see the September 14 news release issued by the California Attorney General's Office.