News Releases
Schiff Hardin LLP has been Honored by the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice and Appleseed
Recognized for our Outstanding Pro Bono Achievements and Commitment to Pro Bono Causes
April 04, 2008
Schiff Hardin LLP has been honored by the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice and the national Appleseed network for its outstanding pro bono achievements and commitment to pro bono causes at the "Building Strong Communities" dinner. Schiff Hardin was a Benefactor of the dinner, which was held on April 3 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago.
Frederick J. Sperling, a partner in Schiff Hardin's Litigation Group, was a co-chair of the event.
A commitment to pro bono is an integral part of Schiff Hardin's culture. Much of Schiff Hardin's pro bono work focuses on civil rights and law reform. For example, the firm has handled many major law reform cases involving, among other issues, discrimination in public housing, governmental surveillance of citizens, racial profiling, rights of minors under state custody, prisoners' rights, rights of persons committed indefinitely for psychological reasons and the constitutionality of bias violence statutes. Over the years, this work has resulted in significant changes in the law.
On the other end of the spectrum, a large part of Schiff Hardin's pro bono work addresses the legal needs of indigent individuals. Since 1979, in a model that several other firms have adopted over the years, Schiff Hardin attorneys have fully staffed a storefront legal clinic through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. Every year, the firm handles hundreds of cases involving landlord-tenant disputes, public benefits, divorce, child custody, disability law, consumer contracts, homeless rights, simple wills and estate matters, and other civil legal needs of the indigent community. The legal issues in those cases are not as sweeping in scope as law reform cases, but the stakes are enormously high for Schiff Hardin's pro bono clients.
In addition, Schiff Hardin provides transactional, consulting and other pro bono legal services, in a number of different practice areas, to a wide range of community-based, public service, civic, and other not-for-profit organizations, including in connection with affordable housing, community economic development, animal welfare, job training, health care services, education, and human development to mention only a few.
About the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice
The Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice is a nationally connected social impact research and advocacy organization that works to achieve fundamental, systemic reform by addressing policies and practices that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. They focus on social justice and government effectiveness issues ranging from fair criminal justice systems to equal access in financial institutions.
About Appleseed
A non-profit network of 16 public interest justice centers in the U.S. and Mexico, Appleseed is dedicated to building a society where opportunities are genuine, access to the law is universal and equal, and government advances the public interest.
About Frederick J. Sperling
Mr. Sperling concentrates his practice in civil litigation involving a broad range of issues including contracts, commercial law, and defamation and other media and communication law issues. He practices in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels, and he has substantial experience in both mediation and arbitration. Mr. Sperling also has been involved in numerous pro bono cases.
