Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

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1 Main US office location: W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA (310) THE STATS. of Attorneys: 333. of Offices: 9 Managing Partner: Stanley A. Twardy Jr. Who s Who How many pro bono coordinators and/or partners does the firm have? 2 Please provide the primary pro bono contact(s) s information below. Scot Fishman Partner & Director of Pro Bono (310) SFishman@manatt.com Approximate percentage of his/her time spent on pro bono work/administering pro bono program: 100% Gisella Soto Pro Bono Paralegal (310) GSoto@manatt.com Approximate percentage of his/her time spent on pro bono work/administering pro bono program: 100% Does the firm have a pro bono committee? If so, how often does the committee meet? As needed Please describe the composition of the committee: Manatt s pro bono committee consists of the firm s partner & director of pro bono, as well as attorneys from each of the firm s offices. THE SCOOP Does the firm have a written pro bono policy? Can associates bring pro bono matters of interest to the firm? How does the firm decide whether to take on a pro bono matter? All matters are approved by at least one member of the firm s pro bono committee and the director of pro bono. All such decisions are made in accordance with the firm s pro bono policy. Has the firm signed on to the law firm pro bono challenge? What are some of the areas of law in which your firm has performed pro bono legal work since 2014? Asylum; Bankruptcy; Civil rights; Community economic development; Consumer law and small claims court; Death penalty defense; Disability benefits; Domestic violence; Education; Elder law; Employment; Environment; Fair housing/ tenants rights; Family law; First Amendment and constitutional issues; Health care; HIV/AIDS advocacy; Holocaust reparations; Homeless advocacy; Immigration; Indigent criminal defense; International human rights; nprofit corporate law; nprofit incorporation/tax exemptions; nprofit intellectual property; Parole hearings; Police misconduct; Prisoners rights; Social security law; Probate law; Public benefits; Real estate transactions; The arts and historic preservation; Veterans benefits/appeals; Voting rights Are there areas of law in which, as a matter of policy or practice, your firm does not perform pro bono work? If so, please indicate the specific areas below. If not, please select none. Malpractice; Personal injury 307

2 List up to 10 of your firm s pro bono clients or partners since 2014, including legal service providers or clearinghouses. Alliance for Children s Rights Bet Tzedek Legal Services Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (National and SF) Legal Counsel for the Elderly (DC) LSC Legal Aid Affiliates (including Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Bay Area Legal Aid and Legal Services NYC) NY Transactional Work: Lawyers Alliance for New York and Start Small Think Big Public Counsel Law Center Public Law Center (Orange County) Swords to Plowshares Victim Rights Law Center List up to three pro bono matters/representations that are highlights (e.g., a Supreme Court case). In an important, high profile pro bono victory, Manatt and Public Law Center a longstanding pro bono partner and fantastic legal aid organization based in Orange County, California - secured a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, granting deferral relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) to an undocumented transgender woman. Our client came to the United States seeking protection after being threatened, beaten and raped by law enforcement and military officials in Mexico. One of our associates argued before the Court, and subsequently, The Ninth Circuit rebuked the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) for denying CAT relief due to misassumptions about the threat of future torture to our client. Specifically, the court found that the BIA had conflated gender identity with sexual orientation and erroneously concluded that the passage of same-sex marriage laws in Mexico demonstrated a commitment to protecting the rights of transgender people. The Court relied in part on Vitug v. Holder, 723 F.3d 1056 (9th Cir. 2013), another Manatt pro bono immigration case. PLC noted that the decision is transformative and precedentsetting for transgender immigrants fleeing from persecution and torture and who seek refuge in the United States. Since the decision, the story has been reported widely in the Daily Journal, The Recorder and Law360. Manatt was asked to represent a widow of a retired marine and naval officer in a death benefits claim before the Veterans Administration. Our client filed a death benefits claim with the VA in September 2002 after her husband died suddenly from complications related to gran mal seizure. He had served in the Marine Corps during the 1980s and in the Navy during the First Gulf War. During and after his service, he suffered from severe sinusitis and mastoid disease. Our client claimed that the sinusitis and mastoid disease were caused/exacerbated by toxic chemicals and vapors her husband was exposed to during his service, and that the sudden onset of the gran mal seizure was caused either by the mastoid disease or Gulf War Syndrome. The VA denied her claim in 2008, and again in 2013 after reviewing additional military records on remand. Our client once again again appealed to the Board of Veterans Appeals, and in February 2014, the Board affirmed the VA s determination that there was no causal link between the Veteran s death and his service. Attorneys from Manatt s Los Angeles and New York offices represented our client before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). On appeal to the CAVC, our client contended that the Board s decision affirming the VA s denial of benefits should be reversed because the Board a) failed to obtain a medical opinion supporting its conclusion; b) failed to review or obtain medical records that potentially support her claim; and c) failed to provide an adequate statement of reasons and bases for its decision. Appeals before the CAVC are very difficult to win, but in this case, the CAVC agreed that the Board of Veterans Appeals had failed to obtain a medical opinion. Thus, the CAVC set aside the Board s February 2014 decision. Manatt represented a Holocaust survivor who applied for onetime payment from the German government in recognition of the work he did in Hungarian ghettos. Our client had filed an application with the proper German authority, the BADV, which was denied based on an application for restitution that he had filed in 1965 with the Federal Restitution Office that seemed to conflict with the historical account set forth in the application to the BADV. Specifically, the documents filed with the Federal Restitution Office seemed to suggest that our client was sent to forced labor camps at the same time that he claimed to be in the aforementioned ghettos doing voluntary work. Over several months, out attorneys obtained copies of the documents in question from the Federal Restitution Office in Germany and studied those records, along with the historical record of the region during the War. Based on those investigations, we prepared an appeal in which they argued that a careful study of the documents and the history shows that there actually was no conflict between the client s earlier and later applications. In response to our appeal, the BADV produced further documentation, including an affidavit signed by our client nearly 50 years ago, that seemed to strengthen the basis for the original denial. This prompted our team to reexamine the issues and consult with other experts, whereupon they crafted additional arguments that addressed the BADV s new concerns and further bolstered the case that our client s different applications were consistent. In response, the BADV notified us and our client that the decision had been reversed. BY THE NUMBERS What is the total number of hours that lawyers at your US office(s) spent performing pro bono legal services, as defined by the law firm pro bono challenge, in 2014 and 2015? Do not include summer associate or non-lawyer pro bono hours in your answers. 2014: 21, : 21,603 What was the attorney headcount in your firm s US office(s)? 2014: : Vault.com Inc.

3 Using the number of attorneys listed above, what is the average number of pro bono hours per attorney in your firm s US office(s) during the following years? 2014: : 63 What percentage of attorneys employed in 2014 and 2015 in your firm s US office(s) did at least 20 hours of pro bono work during that calendar year? 2014: 74% 2015: 75% SUPERVISION AND EVALUATIONS Is there partner supervision on all pro bono matters? Do partner supervisors or, if applicable, senior associates provide written evaluations of associates work on pro bono matters? If so, are those evaluations taken into account in determining salary or bonuses? Are those evaluations taken into account in determining advancement within the firm? Is there a pro bono requirement at your firm? Does the firm give billable hour credit for pro bono work? Does the firm have a maximum number of pro bono hours that can be applied toward the billable hour target? Does the firm give billable hour credit for pro bono work? Does the firm have a maximum number of pro bono hours that can be applied toward the billable hour target? PRO BONO POINTS What training opportunities are open to associates working on pro bono matters? Manatt regularly invites legal service providers and community organizations to provide in-house training sessions, which we also open to attorneys from other firms. We encourage attorneys at all levels of the profession to attend off-site training programs offered by legal services organizations (and frequently underwritten by the firm) in connection with projects that are of interest to our lawyers. We have instituted informal teams of attorneys who work together on various types of pro bono projects, including immigration, adoption, Holocaust reparations, and veterans benefits. Those teams provide ongoing support to attorneys working on such projects for which we have a deep and ongoing involvement. In the course of our regular practice, the firm provides numerous CLE programs related to our standard practice areas. Our attorneys often use that training, as well as the experience they gain working on similar matters for both pro bono and fee-paying clients, in connection with new pro bono matters that they may handle. Does the firm offer the use of support staff in handling pro bono matters? Please indicate how many total hours and average hours per person your summer associates spent performing pro bono work in 2014 and Please round to the nearest hour and include numbers only: do not use commas, decimal points or labels. Total hours summer associates spent on pro bono work 2014: : 373 Average hours per summer associate spent on pro bono work 2014: : 53 Percentage of summer associates in your firm s U.S. office(s) engaged in pro bono work 2014: 100% 2015: 100% Please provide any additional information about pro bono opportunities available to summer associates. The firm s director of pro bono activities conducts a special pro bono orientation for all summer associates and staffs them to on-going pro bono matters, based on interest and availability. Does the firm consider pro bono hours when determining bonuses? Visit for company rankings, ratings and reviews to learn what it s really like to work in an industry or company and how to position yourself to land that job. Does the firm have established programs, such as externships, that enable its associates to work in a public interest setting? 309

4 What other law-related public interest and community service programs (that are not pro bono as defined by the law firm pro bono challenge) do you offer and manage? For example, list any law school collaborations and public interest scholarships, auctions at law schools, monetary support, or fellowships applicable. Manatt donates charitable contributions to certain legal and community service organizations that serve the poor in each city where we maintain offices. Firm members also serve on these organizations boards as well as other charitable institutions. We support certain public interest scholarship programs and auctions at the law schools from which our summer associates have come and with which we have deep and meaningful connections. In addition, firm members often lead and participate in law firm challenges issued by the alumni offices of various schools typically attaining the highest levels of support and recognition. Our attorneys are active in various moot court programs across the country, serving as judges and coaches for the teams. The firm partners with the Verbum Dei school to provide law-related learning opportunities for high school students both by sending firm representatives into the classroom and by sponsoring students to work in our offices. Many of our attorneys serve in leadership capacities in the pro bono/legal services community, including board service and advisory councils. What non-law related volunteer opportunities does your firm offer? For example, list any work with high school students and non-legal volunteerism for organizations like Habitat for Humanity. In 2008, we launched the Manatt Volunteer Program (MVP) to provide up to three full, paid days off per year to all non-attorney staff so that they can participate in volunteer activities of their choice during the work day. MVP participants have taken time off to read to children, rehabilitate environmental habitats, teach computer skills to seniors, serve food to shut-ins and the homeless, teach arts and music courses to inner city youth and many more worthwhile endeavors. From time to time, most of our offices undertake an all-day community service project through organizations such as Rebuilding Together, HandsOn, NY Cares, and Big Sunday. Hundreds of Manatt attorneys, employees and their families come together for these service days. All offices have hosted collection drives to provide supplies and support to U.S. troops serving abroad, children in local foster care programs, homeless youth, disaster survivors, abused women and other in need. Beneficiary organizations include (among others) the American Red Cross, Bread for the City, Bright Beginnings, Coalition of Community Clinics, DC Child and Family Service Agency, FAITH, Families Forward, Habitat for Humanity, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, New York Cares, Operation HOPE, Peace First, Para Los Ninos, Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care, Inc., Second Harvest Food Bank and Working Wardrobes. In addition, firm employees often gather together after-hours to serve food at local homeless shelters, build Habitat for Humanity homes, participate in community beautification efforts and mentor at-risk youth. Finally, our attorneys and employees regularly team up to participate in physically active fundraisers such as walk-athons, marathons, bowl-athons, bike races, dance competitions, go-cart racing and others. When such a team of Manatt employees gathers together to support a cause in this way, the firm typically supplements their charitable efforts by making a donation to the beneficiary organizations. Please list special recognition or awards your firm has won in the last three years for its pro bono work. Firm Awards since 2014: Max Gillam Award, Western Center on Law & Poverty (2016) Safe Haven Award, Immigration Equality (2016) James T. Caleshu Award, Lawyers Committee For Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (2016) Volunteer Recognition Award, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (2016) First Annual Pro Bono Firm of the Year, Swords to Plowshares (2015) Southern Poverty Law Center Pro Bono Recognition, Human Trafficking (2015) President s Pro Bono Service Award Law Firm Branch Office, State Bar of California (Orange County, 2014) Children s Justice Counsel Recognition, The Alliance for Children s Rights (2014) Public Law Center, Law Firm of the Year Award (2014) Los Angeles Center for Law & Justice Pro Bono Partner of the Year (2014) Bienestar Human Services, Inc., Fuego Award (2014) Southern Poverty Law Center Pro Bono Recognition, Human Trafficking (2014) Individual Awards since 2014: DC Volunteer Lawyers Project Law Firm Lawyer of the Year (Adam Riedel, 2016) Empire State Counsel Awards (Samantha Katze; Andrew Case; Ben Wolfert; Ashley Antler; Raisa Patron, 2015) California Lawyer CLAY Award (Erin Witkow, 2015) Vault.com Inc.

5 Justice & Diversity Center, San Francisco Bar Association, Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service (Khoi Ta, Christian Baker, 2015) Legal Services NYC Pro Bono Honor Roll (Diana Lee, 2014) New York Legal Assistance Group Outstanding Pro Bono Honoree (Michael Barkow, 2014) Legal Services for Children Pro Bono Service Award (Craig Miller, Grace Yang and Kelly Knudson, 2014) Death Penalty Focus Honorable Mention Award (Rebecca Torrey, 2014) Keshet, Landres Courage for Dignity Award (Jennifer Gorovitz, 2014) 1OC Spirit of Volunteerism Award (Roger Grable, 2014) Please add any additional information about your firm s pro bono program. You might want to touch on some of the following issues: firm s pro bono philosophy; procedures for undertaking pro bono; assignments; staffing of pro bono cases; general volunteering opportunities (outside of legal services); salary structure as it relates to pro bono work and billable hours or bonuses; international pro bono; opportunities; pro bono hours by office or region, including overseas. We believe in the justice system. We excel at advocating, functioning, and negotiating within that system. And we are unwavering in our commitment to helping others access that system. From its inception, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP has provided essential leadership in the communities in which it practices, while providing pro bono legal services to an ever-increasing number and variety of clients. We launched a revitalized Public Interest Initiative in 2004 by creating a full-time management position to organize and expand our involvement in pro bono, charitable, and community outreach activities on a national basis. As a result of this initiative, the firm has more than tripled its pro bono contribution, and literally, hundreds of individuals have received legal services who otherwise would have gone without representation. Historically, our pro bono clients have run the gamut from individuals for whom we seek justice in the courts, to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations that can better serve our communities thanks to our pro bono assistance. We always have been at the forefront of the fight for justice on behalf of the poor and under-resourced. Indeed, several of our lawyers founded or were otherwise involved with creating major legal service providers (such as Public Counsel, Bet Tzedek and the Western Center on Law & Poverty in Los Angeles and Human Rights First in New York). Our attorneys continue to serve on the boards of these and many more legal services organizations across the country. Our professionals also serve and help lead numerous civil rights and human rights organizations, youth service groups, civic and cultural entities, and other, smaller entities that sometimes struggle to survive but nevertheless bring relief and assistance to vulnerable members of our society. To reflect the broad array of our attorneys community involvement, we actively encourage our lawyers to undertake pro bono matters that are personally interesting to them. We especially support those who present pro bono opportunities for consideration by the firm. Associates who devote time to firm approved pro bono matters receive recognition and full credit for that time in the same manner as for commercial clients, with all such time counting for both billable hours and bonuses. Partners and counsel, too, receive collection credit for time devoted to pro bono clients. The firm and its professionals treat all pro bono matters with the same level of diligence as is given to all clients. We bring our full resources to bear on every matter that we undertake for every client that we serve, regardless of that client s ability to pay for our services. We are proud of our history of service and excited to help in creative and effective ways. Visit for company rankings, ratings and reviews to learn what it s really like to work in an industry or company and how to position yourself to land that job. 311

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. Albert Einstein At Sullivan & Cromwell, we have a long tradition of encouraging pro bono involvement by our lawyers