April Volunteer Feature: The City Bar Justice Center is Proud to Honor JPMorgan Chase and Paul, Weiss at Annual Gala
On April 14th, under columns turned palm trees, over 500 attendees celebrated the work of the Justice Center and commitment to pro bono exemplified by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Each year the Center honors outstanding law firm and corporation partners for the work they do to increase access to justice for low-income New Yorkers. This year's theme was Island Allure, and while guests were transported to warmer climes, the Justice Center celebrated the serious pro bono accomplishments of JPMorgan Chase and Paul, Weiss.
JPMorgan Chase's partnership with the City Bar Justice Center has had a tremendous impact on hundreds of lives. Through the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project, JPMorgan Chase provides free legal assistance to struggling entrepreneurs and staffs clinics promoting financial literacy. The company's work also includes representing persons with cancer facing economic hardship and assisting New York veterans to access the service-connected disability benefits to which they are entitled. Through the Legal Clinic for the Homeless, JP Morgan Chase staffs a monthly free legal clinic at a New York City family shelter where the company's volunteers recently achieved a victory for a young homeless mother, helping to recover much-needed retroactive public assistance benefits for the client and her young child.
Paul, Weiss's partnership with the City Bar Justice Center is just as strong, and the firm's steadfast commitment to access to justice runs through each of its pro bono efforts. Through the Refugee Assistance Project, Paul, Weiss attorneys have successfully represented clients from Latin America, Asia, and Africa who are seeking asylum. Through the Immigrant Women & Children Project, partners and associates have assisted victims of violence and trafficking. Paul, Weiss consistently volunteers for new pro bono initiatives as well. Through the Veterans Assistance Project, the firm assists veterans pursuing disability benefits claims. In the NYC Know Your Rights Project, Paul, Weiss attorneys provide monthly counseling at the Varick Federal Detention Facility, screening immigrant detainees for bond eligibility, asylum, waivers, and other possibilities for release. The firm is also an active participant in the New York City Bar Fund's Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice.
Michael Helfer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Citigroup Inc, presented the award to Paul, Weiss, which was accepted by Brad Karp, the firm's Chairman. JPMorgan Chase's award was accepted by Stephen Cutler, General Counsel, and presented by Pete Ruegger, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Citigroup and Simpson Thacher served as Co-Chairs of the event.
From left to right: Pete Ruegger, Stephen Cutler, Pat Hynes (President, New York City Bar and City Bar Fund), Brad Karp, Michael Helfer, Austin Fragomen Jr. (Chair, City Bar Fund). Photo credit: Rick Kopstein |