Name of Attorney:  Nathan Dau, Associate

Name of Firm: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Client Served: National Association of Visually Handicapped

Accomplishment: Assisted National Association of Visually Handicapped (NAVH) to Form a Strategic Alliance with Lighthouse International.

NAVH was founded over 55 years ago to help the "hard of seeing™" worldwide cope with the psychological effects of visual impairment and to provide low-vision services, visual aids and training.

When NAVH approached Lawyers Alliance in June 2009, it had only limited funds with which to support ongoing operations and was undergoing a transition following the retirement of its founder and CEO Dr. Lorraine Marchi. In response, the Board considered several actions: (i) closing the California office to reduce expenses; (ii) seeking a strategic alliance partner; or (iii) the sale of its New York co-op to fund ongoing opreations and reinvigorate their programming.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Associate Nathan Dau, working with Shivani Retnam and Jillian Miles, began by assisting NAVH with guidance on whether NAVH should seek to remain independent or form a strategic alliance. He later negotiated a strategic alliance with Lighthouse International.

On January 29, 2010, Lighthouse International (the Lighthouse), an organization with a shared mission, formed a strategic alliance with NAVH. The Lighthouse will continue NAVH’s tradition of service and create a new program, the Dr. Lorraine Marchi/NAVH Client Assistance Program. The new program, which is expected to launch in spring 2010, will help clients overcome the challenges of vision loss through counseling, support groups, educational materials and referrals to other services available at the Lighthouse, state and other agencies.