Susman Godfrey's Cycling Team "Swift Justice" Raises $100,000 to Fight Multiple Sclerosis

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Apr 20, 2011, 01:10 ET

HOUSTON, April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This past weekend on April 16-17, 2011, 37 partners, associates, staff, family and friends of Susman Godfrey L.L.P. rode 180 miles from Houston to Austin as part of the BP MS150. As part of that ride, the team's members have raised roughly $100,000 to support research to find a cure and treatment for multiple sclerosis. This makes Susman Godfrey one of the event's largest law firm team fundraisers. It also represents a dramatic increase in the firm's commitment to this worthwhile cause.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110420/DA86719)

This year, Team Susman Godfrey included 37 riders. And it was a firm-wide, across the board effort that included one of the firm's two Managing Partners as well as several riders from the firm's mailroom. Riders included 21 associates and partners (representing almost 25% of the firm's total lawyers). But it also included riders from the firm's IT, Accounting and Support departments. The team riders came from four of the firm's offices -- Seattle, New York, Dallas, and Houston. Six lawyers flew down and rode from the firm's New York office

The team has also taken its fundraising obligations seriously. Last year, with 22 riders, the firm raised almost $40,000. One week ago, this year's team had already raised about $35,000. And that's when the firm's leader, and second year rider Steve Susman decided to start his own fundraising effort. After sending out one request by email and Twitter to his friends, colleagues, and followers just one week ago, Susman raised almost $15,000. This makes Susman currently one of the top 35 individual fundraisers for this year's BP MS150.

But once Susman finished the ride on Sunday, he realized there was more he could do. Within one hour of crossing the finish line on Sunday afternoon in Austin, Susman announced that Susman Godfrey LLP would make its own donation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the amount of $16,500. This represents Susman's $1100 hourly billing rate multiplied by the 15 hours of time he actually spent riding his bike this weekend (excluding rest stops and breaks). Susman commented "I realized this weekend as dozens of my colleagues and I pedaled our hearts out across Texas, and as I witnessed thousands of supportive fans and volunteers in La Grange, Austin, and numerous small towns along the route, that this ride meant a lot to the millions of people who suffer from this dreadful disease. Moreover, I concluded that my firm and its lawyers and partners should raise and contribute more money as I heard the stories of riders on our team with family members and friends who suffer from MS and fight this disease every day. Riding was no longer enough."

The team is led by Team Captain Trey Peacock who is in his sixth year of riding this event. Peacock led all of the team's 37 riders safely across the finish line in Austin in an outstanding end to a great ride. After Susman's announcement, Peacock said "Steve's involvement has truly taken our team to the next level. By riding, raising money, and securing the firm's huge donation, Steve has made sure that the firm's participation in this event is consistent with the firm's role in the legal community - being the best at whatever we do."

Organized by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the BP MS150 is the largest MS150 ride in the nation with over 12,000 riders. This year's BP MS150 is expected to raise over $17,000,000 to fund research and treatment for multiple sclerosis.

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SOURCE Susman Godfrey L.L.P.