Jenner & Block Named to National Law Journal's 2013 Pro Bono Hot List

News provided by

Jan 14, 2014, 09:16 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenner & Block is pleased to share that it has been named to The National Law Journal's 2013 Pro Bono Hot List and featured in the publication's January 6, 2014 edition. We are one of only 10 law firms nationwide that were recognized for this honor.

The NLJ published a feature article on Jenner & Block, focusing on the human trafficking work that has become a hallmark of our pro bono program, and quoting our Pro Bono Committee Co-Chair Julie M. Carpenter and former partner Martina Vandenberg. Partner Lorelie S. Masters is also mentioned. The NLJ describes two successful—and, according to the reporter, "rare"—outcomes in civil suits that Jenner & Block teams recently achieved for trafficking victims.

In one case, the client had worked as a nanny for a minister-counselor at the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. After four years of working without pay and in inhumane conditions, the firm obtained a $1 million judgment against our client's employer, who first claimed diplomatic immunity and then fled to his home country. After five years of firm efforts to collect the judgment, including by bringing it to the attention of the United States Congress, the White House, and the State Department, a confidential settlement was reached with the government of Tanzania last summer, shortly before a scheduled trip to that country by President Obama.

The agreement was the first in which a government paid to settle a trafficking case involving one of its diplomats. Martina, who founded and heads the Human Trafficking Pro Bono Legal Center, told the NLJ that the case set "an incredibly important precedent." She also noted that Jenner & Block "lead[s] the nation in handling trafficking cases against foreign diplomats."

In the second case summarized in the article, a judgment of $369,500 was obtained for a trafficking victim client in May as at least partial compensation for 10 years labor as a housekeeper without pay. Our client immediately received defendants' funds held in escrow; an attorney for the defendants is quoted as saying that the rest of the money is "on its way"; an attorney for the defendants is quoted as saying that the money is "on its way."

Jenner & Block is honored to have been formally recognized by the NLJ, which we believe is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to our core values and continuing efforts toward helping those most in need in our communities.

ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SERVICE
Jenner & Block's attorneys are called to serve—providing legal services to their communities and to those who cannot afford them is in the firm's DNA. As an important part of the firm's history and a continuing priority, public service is supported at all levels. Partners lead by example, handling numerous pro bono cases, participating in the organized bar and serving the greater public. Jenner & Block has been recognized by The American Lawyer every year since 1990 as having one of the top 10 pro bono programs in the United States; the firm ranked No. 1 in five of those years. The firm provides litigation and transactional assistance to hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals each year. The firm's steadfast commitment is reflected in numerous ways, including in the numbers. In 2012, firm attorneys devoted more than 77,000 hours to pro bono work.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK
Jenner & Block (www.jenner.com) is a national law firm with approximately 480 attorneys and offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014, the firm is known for its prominent and successful litigation practice and experience handling sophisticated and high-profile corporate transactions. Firm clients include Fortune 100 companies, large privately held corporations, financial services institutions, emerging companies and venture capital and private equity investors. In 2013, The American Lawyer magazine named Jenner & Block to the AmLaw A-List recognizing the top 20 law firms in the country, for the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall since the ranking was established a decade ago. The firm also has been named by American Lawyer as the nation's leading pro bono firm in four of the past six years.

SOURCE Jenner & Block