The firm was nominated by Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, in recognition of its work on an inmate’s civil rights case, as well as for other substantive pro bono accomplishments in Western Pennsylvania.
“The Pittsburgh office is honored to be recognized for our work in advancing access to justice and equality,” said Jeffrey Weimer, who heads the pro bono effort in the firm’s Pittsburgh office. “We appreciate Judge Kelly and the Bar Foundation’s acknowledgement of the numerous commitments our lawyers make to those whose interests otherwise would not be represented.”
The Allegheny County Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Achievement Awards recognize groups of individuals who collectively or as an institution show exemplary commitment to or make substantial achievements in the delivery of pro bono legal services.
As Judge Kelley wrote in a letter of appreciation to Reed Smith for its work on behalf of inmate Charles Jackson, “As acknowledged by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, lawyers who act pro bono fulfill the highest service that members of the bar can offer to indigent parties and to the legal profession.”
In addition to their successful efforts representing Jackson in his quest to redress the assault he suffered while incarcerated, Reed Smith lawyers in Pittsburgh also represented other prisoners in trials of their claims for civil rights violations during incarceration.
They assisted with obtaining legal name changes for transgender individuals in partnership with BNY Mellon, PNC, and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund; and provided legal counseling to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Homewood and the Hill District seeking financial assistance from Urban Innovation21 and the Riverside Center for Innovation, a nonprofit community development corporation.
In addition, the Pittsburgh office’s pro bono team has partnered with Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) to draft wills and powers of attorney for Pittsburgh firefighters and other first responders; represented clients in seeking protection from abuse orders; partnered with another local law firm in collaboration with Operation Safety Net to staff the HELP Legal Clinic serving the homeless; provided legal services to the Pennsylvania Innocence Project (which works to exonerate individuals convicted of crimes they did not commit); and, through the Adoption Legal Services Project, represented families and children going through the adoption process or served as neutral facilitators in mediations for continued contact between adoptees and their birth parents.
Lawyers in the Pittsburgh office also provide pro bono assistance for individuals diagnosed with cancer, including a partnership with the Cancer Caring Center that provides legal services, such as simple estate planning and healthcare powers of attorney. Moreover, Reed Smith collaborates with BNY Mellon and other local clients in the Election Protection Program, a non-partisan program to ensure the fairness and integrity of each election, including hosting the project’s command center in its downtown Pittsburgh office every two years.
The award was presented at the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Fall Foundation Reception Oct. 19 at the LeMont restaurant in Pittsburgh. The firm was also among the annual ACBF Pro Bono Achievement winners honored during Pro Bono Week, Oct. 24 through Oct. 29.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For more information, please visit www.reedsmith.com.
