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A Note from Blank Rome ’ s Director of Pro Bono and Community Impact
There is no doubt that the last few years have been challenging for all of us . And yet , through it all , our attorneys and paralegals have stepped up to meet the critical needs of our pro bono clients . I am humbled by and very proud of their commitment to making a difference in the world . And they are , indeed , making a difference .
During 2022 , my colleagues and I have volunteered on a broad range of pro bono efforts , from working with small businesses and nonprofits on important transactional issues and representing veterans appealing the denial of their muchneeded benefits , to assisting low-income senior citizens with life planning documents and working with transgender clients on legal name and gender marker changes , and so much more .
One initiative tugged at the heartstrings of many of us : helping Afghans put in immediate danger by the 2021 Taliban takeover to seek asylum and legal immigration status in the United States . To date , nearly 50 firm attorneys and paralegals have assisted 30 Afghans and their families with U . S . humanitarian parole or asylum applications . While immigration matters generally require a lot of handholding , the volunteers — most of whom had no immigration experience — rose to the occasion , tapping into partner HIAS ’ s resources and developing strong bonds with their clients . The asylum applications filed are awaiting decisions and many of the tireless volunteers have already agreed to take on another asylum client .
In 2022 we held a record number of joint pro bono clinics with our clients , with many returning to in-person for the first time in a couple of years . We partnered with our valued clients , such as Comcast , Constellation Energy , JPMorgan Chase , Paramount / Viacom , PECO / Exelon , Pepco , PNC Bank , and more , on clinics that supported military discharge upgrades , uncontested divorces , advance planning documents , name changes for members of the trans community , and criminal record pardons , to name a few . It is rewarding to collaborate with our clients around our shared values . We plan to organize even more joint clinics with our clients in 2023 .
Our firm has always taken great pride in our commitment to giving back to the communities in which we live and work . It is a cornerstone of our culture and something that truly distinguishes Blank Rome . This past year , we expanded our investment in our communities by launching our Community Impact initiative . The initiative , along with a policy to provide professional staff with paid community service hours , will allow us to offer legal and non-legal community service opportunities more formally and strategically to all Blank Rome personnel . In addition to supporting our communities , it is an opportunity for firm colleagues to spend time together and build connection with one another while doing good .
Please read more about these initiatives in the following pages . If you would like to collaborate with Blank Rome on future pro bono or community service projects , I would like to hear from you . p
Kathy E . Ochroch ,
Partner and Director of Pro Bono and Community Impact
4 • PRO BONO REPORT & COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT