Pro Bono Institute® (PBI®) will honor McDonald's Corporation, in partnership with Goldberg Kohn Ltd., Jenner & Block LLP, and the National Immigrant Justice Center
with the Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO) Pro Bono Partner Award. Honorees for this award have a demonstrated and sustained impact addressing a critical legal need in a vulnerable community through pro bono legal work. CPBO, a project of PBI, created the CPBO Pro Bono Partner Award to recognize innovative pro bono collaborations of in-house legal departments with law firms and public interest organizations.
The award recognizes the partnership for their extensive efforts in representing individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. Throughout the past five and a half years, volunteers from the legal department of McDonald’s have partnered with law firm volunteers from either Jenner & Block or Goldberg Kohn on approximately 20 cases referred by the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), working collaboratively to represent immigrants applying for asylum, including individuals who were victims of torture by officials in their home countries. Their work includes preparation of affidavits and expert affidavits, representation of victims at immigration interviews, and representation of individuals in immigration court.
"PBI salutes this partnership for providing legal representation to asylum seekers in the past and throughout the pandemic," said Eve Runyon, PBI President and CEO. "This pro bono work is so necessary through what can be a confusing and extended process for the underserved."
“McDonald’s has a long history of community service dating back to 1955 when Ray Kroc founded our Company on the premise of 'giving back to the communities we serve,'” said Desiree Ralls-Morrison, McDonald's General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. "Through McDonald’s Pro Bono Program, our lawyers and other professionals uphold this important value by helping make the justice system more fair and accessible to everyone. We are honored to be recognized by Pro Bono Institute, and we salute all who provide pro bono legal services to those in need.”
The partnership has continued its work during the pandemic. Volunteers from McDonald’s, Jenner & Block, and Goldberg Kohn have taken on a number of new cases, continue to work on applications remotely, and conduct interviews virtually. The partnership has also held virtual trainings for volunteers. In addition, McDonald’s sustains the partnership by helping to raise funds for NIJC.
