June 4, 2015 – Reed Smith LLP, an international law firm with 26 offices worldwide, received the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Common Good Award at the organization’s National Awards Gala last night in Philadelphia. The firm was honored for providing $2.1 million in pro bono legal support since 2012.

Since partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and its chapters 10 years ago, Reed Smith attorneys have provided legal counsel on a wide variety of legal matters and issues, including contract review, employment law, trademarks, affiliate relationships, insurance coverage, fundraising law questions and other issues. The award is given each year to a partner that donates in kind services to benefit the common good of the organization as a whole.

“The firm’s mission includes a long-standing commitment to provide pro bono legal support to civic and community organizations where we live and work,” said Chris Walters, senior pro bono counsel at Reed Smith. “By tackling the legal matters of this great organization and its local affiliates, we hope to enable Big Brothers Big Sisters to focus on the important work of mentoring and supporting some of our country’s most at-risk children.”

Reed Smith attorneys also donate their time personally, with many volunteering as “Bigs” in one-on-one mentoring roles with children. Beginning last fall, the Reed Smith Philadelphia office partnered with the local Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate to participate in the Beyond School Walls Program. Beyond School Walls pairs employers with a local school. Mentors meet with their “Littles” every other week at their place of employment, allowing children in the program to visit their “Bigs” and get a first-hand look at a professional, corporate environment while enjoying lunch together and a planned activity.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is changing the lives of thousands of children across the country on a daily basis,” said Len Bernstein, Philadelphia Reed Smith Office Managing Partner and a member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters America. “It’s a privilege to join a team of our lawyers across our firm to assist with the organization’s legal needs and support the valuable work they do.”

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,800 lawyers in 26 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing and technology, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.

U.S.: New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Houston, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Silicon Valley, Century City, Richmond

Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Athens

Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Kazakhstan