At Baker & Daniels, the firm's lawyers, paralegals and other professionals seek to improve and expand access to justice for underserved individuals and communities.
Baker & Daniels has a long-standing commitment to pro bono and public interest work. Our professionals strive to protect the civil and public rights of others — and to address the needs of people with limited means. The firm fully integrates pro bono and public interest work into its practice, philosophy and culture.
Today, lawyers, paralegals and other professionals at Baker & Daniels are involved in dozens of pro bono and public interest projects, engagements and cases impacting communities, states, the nation and the world. Among those whom which the firm represents and advocates include:
- Domestic violence victims;
- At-risk children, individuals and families of modest means requiring in-court representation in a range of civil litigation contexts through existing legal service programs and clinics;
- Veterans seeking assistance to receive benefits or appealing denial of benefits;
- Deployed national guard personnel and their families;
- Minority businesses;
- Individuals requiring immigration and political asylum assistance;
- Patients benefiting from advocacy for medical and legal services;
- Pro se defendants before federal and state appellate courts;
- Capital litigation defendants;
- GLBT organizations and individuals;
- Low income seniors requiring end of life documentation;
- Holocaust survivors seeking reparations;
- Organizations serving low income individuals and communities;
- Youth sports programs; and
- Artists of modest means requiring legal assistance and community arts organizations.
"We're proud of the nature, quality and innovation of the pro bono and public interest work our lawyers and other legal professionals are doing," said Carl Pebworth, a litigation lawyer and chair of Baker & Daniels' committee on pro bono and public service. "Our firm believes in donating time, resources and training to help provide access to justice for all. Our legal and non-legal staffs collaborate across practice groups and offices to fulfill our commitment to public and community-based service."
Baker & Daniels upholds pro bono and public interest work as an important part of the firm's professional and institutional responsibilities. While participation in pro bono work is voluntary, the firm encourages all of its attorneys, paralegals and legal professionals to participate in pro bono and public service activities and creates opportunities for non-legal staff to participate in firm initiatives, too.
Each year, Baker & Daniels honors individuals within the firm with the Charles L. Whistler Pro Bono Award. The honor is given to lawyers, paralegals and other professionals who have distinguished themselves through their pro bono and public interest service. The award was established in memory of Charles L. Whistler, a former partner of the firm who set the standard for leadership, public service and community involvement during his time at Baker & Daniels.
Lawyers, paralegals and other professionals are encouraged to participate in other civic and public service activities that fall outside the definition of legal pro bono publico service, but which the firm recognizes as equally valuable forms of public service. Baker & Daniels' support of pro bono work does not discount the important work that firm representatives contribute in political or charitable activities or in other public service, which the firm values and encourages. Many of Baker & Daniels' projects seek to integrate legal and non-legal service into projects.