Community Involvement

Baker & Daniels has a more than 140-year tradition of supporting the communities in which we live and work. Be it through time, talents or financial gifts, the firm and its attorneys and staff give back in countless ways to nurture and grow the places we call home.

Following are just some of the ways in which Baker & Daniels has worked to make a difference in our communities:

In Indianapolis, the firm has participated for many years in the Commons Project, an effort to develop city park space. As part of the firm's commitment to downtown green space, Baker & Daniels has donated funds and physical labor, as well as volunteer legal work. In 2001, Baker & Daniels received a national award from Keep America Beautiful for its work on the Commons Project. Attorneys and staff at the Indianapolis office also volunteer at an Indianapolis Public Schools elementary. Volunteers visit the school twice a week to tutor students. Each semester, the firm provides recognition lunches for outstanding students. In August of 2009, Baker & Daniels legal and support staff teamed to collect and donate almost 600 pounds of food to Gleaner’s Food Bank of Indiana during the firm’s food drive.

In South Bend, Baker & Daniels stepped in to support a neighborhood group struggling to create a park in an area often plagued by drugs and crime. In addition to a five-year financial commitment, Baker & Daniels donated legal counsel to the neighborhood group, provided strategic planning assistance and volunteer labor throughout the construction period. The Daisy Hall Memorial Park now functions as an outdoor classroom for local youth and a place of peace for local residents.

In Elkhart, the firm has made a financial commitment to support local redevelopment efforts through the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County. Elkhart attorneys and staff give liberally of their time and other resources to support local organizations and activities that are important to the community.

In Fort Wayne, attorneys and staff are involved with The Study Connection, a group that matches elementary school students with adult volunteers. Each week during the school year, students visit the Fort Wayne office to receive homework assistance and preparation with tests. In 2002, Fort Wayne Community Schools recognized Baker & Daniels with a "Continued Volunteer Support" award.

In Washington, D.C., the office engages in a number of regular activities to support well-respected charitable organizations in Washington and Indiana. Bringing together Hoosiers living in D.C., the office's annual Hoosier Invitational Cup charity softball tournament focuses on giving to charitable organizations back home in Indiana. Similarly, through our annual partnership with Casey Trees Foundation, we have contributed to tree-planting efforts in high-need areas across the District, and our December toy drives in support of patients at Children's National Medical Center have helped make the holiday season a little brighter for children and families throughout the D.C. metro area. The office is also actively engaged with the American League of Lobbyists' Capitol PurSuit Drive, which was established to help fellow Americans get back into the work force and provide them with the business attire that they need to make that great first impression. The firm also encourages individual professionals to utilize their professional talents and experience in providing pro bono assistance to deserving organizations.