Wondering what it s like to work at a specific employer?

Similar documents

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

We encourage and value pro bono work, supporting the desire and responsibility of our lawyers to give back to the community.

PRO BONO: An Integral Part of Fried Frank s Culture

Social impact matters

COLORADO RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

DLA Piper. Who s Who. Main US office location: Please describe the composition of the committee (500 character limit):

Model Pro Bono Policy for Large Firms

STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN, LLP

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

Carlton Fields. locations W. Boy Scout Boulevard Suite 1000 Tampa, FL Phone: (813)

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP

250 Park Avenue New York, NY Phone: (212)

Ropes & Gray LLP. Who s Who. Main US office location: How many pro bono coordinators and/or partners does the firm have?

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Foley Hoag LLP. Who s Who. Main US office location: How does the firm decide whether to take on a pro bono matter?

Overview of MERCK's PRO BONO PROGRAM

Wiley Rein LLP K Street NW Washington, DC Phone: (202)

PRO BONO ROUNDTABLE April April 28, 2017, 2017

One Marina Park Drive Boston, MA Phone: (617)

Thompson & Knight LLP

PILI Corporate Pro Bono Roundtable

Please also note that this is an annual survey, so many of these questions will be familiar to you if you completed a survey last year.

Pro Bono Legal Service


the practice of law the way it should be

DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC THE STATS LOCATIONS EMPLOYMENT CONTACT MAJOR DEPARTMENTS & PRACTICES

Ensure Equal Treatment...

Medtronic Pro Bono Program Policy

Pro bono service is a key part of any Akin Gump career.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C.

IN-HOUSE PRO BONO IN PRACTICE PROFILE: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY March 2019

Latham & Watkins LLP. Who s Who. Main US office location: Please describe the composition of the committee:

NEW YORK n SILICON VALLEY n PARIS Avenue of the Americas New York, NY Phone:

Please also note that this is an annual survey, so many of these questions will be familiar to you if you completed a survey last year.

The Pro Se/Pro Bono Two Step: Pro Bono Opportunities and How You Can Make a Difference

Pro Bono Legal Service

Noble Profession: Fulfilling Your Ethical Responsibilities of Pro Bono Service

Crowell & Moring LLP. Who s Who. Main US office location: How does the firm decide whether to take on a pro bono matter?

Goodwin Procter LLP. Who s Who. Main US office location: Can associates bring pro bono matters of interest to the firm?

Vinson & Elkins LLP. locations Fannin Street Suite 2500 Houston, Texas Phone: (713)

The Chicago Bar Foundation: Your Foundation at Work in 2012 (July 18, 2012)

Christine Clemens, Esq. Finkelstein & Partners, LLP 1279 Route 300, P.O. Box 1111 Newburgh, NY

PRO BONO ANNUAL REPORT THE YEAR IN NUMBERS

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy

PrO BOnO: An Integral Part of Fried Frank Culture

Baker & McKenzie LLP. Who s Who. Main US office location: Does the firm have a written pro bono policy?

FIRM POLICY PRO BONO POLICY. All Attorneys and Paralegals WHO THIS APPLIES TO: Business Operations CATEGORY: Allegra Rich CONTACT:

Everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, or economic situation.

PLANNING YOUR COURSE OF STUDY (JURIS DOCTOR)

PORTER WRIGHT MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP

White & Case LLP. Who s Who. Main US office location: How does the firm decide whether to take on a pro bono matter?

Covington & Burling LLP

The Legal Aid Society of Columbus: Pro Bono Program

Nicole Austin-Hillery is the first Director and Counsel of the Brennan Center s Washington, D.C. office, which she opened in March 2008.

SAUL EWING LLP THE STATS LOCATIONS EMPLOYMENT CONTACT MAJOR DEPARTMENTS & PRACTICES

PRO BONO. Closing the Justice Gap

Montana Pro Bono 2016 Annual Report 50% Provided free services to non-profits and other organizations assisting people of limited means

Pro Bono Publico Awards

Shearman & Sterling LLP

227 W Monroe Street Chicago, IL Phone: (312)

Pro Bono Initiatives 2007

Pro Bono Initiative. Robert Mathis Eisha Vatsal. Date: November 16, Pro Bono Month 2016 Final Report

Margaret A. Clemens. Focus Areas. Overview

Launching an Ambassador Board. Presented by Jessica Elkan

What do survivors of the Holocaust, immigrant detainees, a former California mill town, and Manatt lawyers have in common?

JASON HUSGEN. St. Louis, MO office:

Bryan Cave LLP. One Metropolitian Square 211 North Broadway St. Louis, MO Phone: (314)

Danielle Vanderzanden

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

My Deeds Determine Me...

IJDP Executive Committee Members

Pro-Bono Ethics for the In-House Lawyer

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE? HUMAN IMPACT

b) Serving on a hotline or some other client or attorney resource panel for a legal services provider;

2012 PRO BONO MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS

Pamela S.C. Reynolds. Focus Areas. Overview

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

MONROE COUNTY BAR CENTER FOR EDUCATION - RECORDED PROGRAMS

Margaret A. Clemens. Focus Areas. Overview

PATENT AND LICENSING POLICY SUMMARY

JOB ACCOUNCEMENT: DIRECTOR OF PRO BONO PARTNERSHIPS

Rhode Island Bar Association. Task Force on Pro Bono Report. January 2007

Pro Bono Summit 4/4/18 Presentation of Ongoing Pro Bono Projects Pro Bono Promise

Pro Bono Canada. the case for support. Promoting pro bono and increasing access to justice for low-income Canadians who have nowhere else to turn

Dean Logan's Blog: Rhode Island's Best Places to Work

Corporate Social Responsibility: Historical Perspective

Kate Mrkonich Wilson. Focus Areas. Overview

Shafeeqa W. Giarratani

SUPPORTING JUSTICE IN LOUISIANA: A Report on the Pro Bono Work of Louisiana s Lawyers

Beverley S. Braun, Esq.

Giovanna Tiberii Weller

pro bono: making a world of difference

This one-day event is open to all licensed. law-enforcement professionals, specialty investigators and criminal justice students.

I N A U G U R A L E V E N T

Attorney Business Plan. Sample 3

David Arena joined DiMonte & Lizak located in Park Ridge, Illinois in 1996, and became an equity partner at Di Monte & Lizak in 2005.

Kevin S. Mullen. Focus Areas. Overview

B U R F O R D QUARTERLY

We are now going to present the Boston Bar Association's first Lifetime. Achievement Award to John J. Curtin, Jr., the ultimate Citizen Lawyer.

Transcription:

Wondering what it s like to work at a specific employer? Read what EMPLOYEES have to say about: Workplace culture Compensation Hours Diversity Hiring process vault.com

BAKER & DANIELS LLP (now FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP) Effective January 1, 2012, Baker & Daniels merged with Faegre & Benson to form Faegre Baker Daniels. This entry includes only information and data related to the legacy Baker & Daniels law firm pro bono program. 300 N. Meridian Street Suite 2700 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Phone: 317-237-0300 www.bakerdaniels.com THE STATS. of attorneys: 321 Chair and Chief Executive Partner: Thomas C. Froehle, Jr. Hiring Partner: Scott Kosnoff LOCATIONS Indianapolis (two office locations) South Bend Fort Wayne Chicago Washington, D.C. Beijing, China MAJOR DEPARTMENTS & PRACTICES Antitrust Bankruptcy/Creditors Rights Clean Technology/ Renewable Energy Corporate Energy Intellectual Property International Labor & Employment Litigation Real Estate Tax Technology Health & Life Sciences Appellate Practice Construction & Real Property Liability Municipal & Public Finance ERISA Benefits & Executive Compensation Insurance & Financial Services Government Services Product Liability Litigation Exempt Organizations, Trusts & Estates EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Jacqueline Kost Director of Legal Personnel Phone: 317-237-1105 Email address: jacqueline.kost@bakerd.com Careers website (if different from main website): http://www.bakerdaniels.com/careers/careers.aspx 39

WHO S WHO Please provide the primary pro bono contact(s) s information below. Carl Pebworth Partner, Pro Bono and Public Interest Committee Chair Phone: 317-237-1267 Email: carl.pebworth@bakerd.com Brita Horvath Manager of Diversity and Pro Bono Phone: 317-237-8298 Email: brita.horvath@bakerd.com Does the firm have a pro bono coordinator(s) and/or partner(s)? If so, how many? 2 Has the firm signed on to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge? What are some of the areas of law in which your firm performed pro bono legal work in and? Community economic development, Consumer law and small claims court, Death penalty defense, Disability benefits, Domestic violence, Employment, Fair housing/tenants rights, Family law, First Amendment and constitutional issues, HIV/ AIDS advocacy, Homeless advocacy, Immigration, Indigent criminal defense, International human rights, nprofit corporate law, nprofit incorporation/tax exemptions, nprofit intellectual property, Social security law, Probate law, Real estate transactions, The arts and historic preservation, Appeals in federal court related to criminal and civil matters, state court appeals of certain civil and criminal matters For each of your pro bono coordinator(s) and/or partner(s), please specify how much of his/her time is spent on pro bono work and/or administering the firm s pro bono program. Pro Bono Coordinator/Partner 1 Less than half of his/her time Pro Bono Coordinator/Partner 2 More than half of his/her time Does the firm have a pro bono committee? How often does the committee meet? Other (please specify) Please describe the composition of the committee. The committee meets periodically throughout the year. Most of the committee s work is spent at the subcommittee level, helping to develop and administer specific pro bono projects. THE SCOOP Does your 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? A proposal is presented to the pro bono committee for approval. Upon approval, a client/matter number is assigned and time and related expenses may be cataloged to the matter number. 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 ne. We have not made a conscious decision to avoid pro bono representation in any particular area. Our activities are defined primarily by interest, aptitude and time constraints. List up to 10 of your firm s pro bono clients or partners in and, including legal service providers or clearinghouses. Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence National Immigrant Justice Center Indiana National Guard Indiana Lawyers for Soldiers Pro Bono Program Wishard Hospital EMBRACE Clinic for Women Cancer Patients (Medical-Legal Partnership) Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults Creative Arts Legal League Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis Community Development Law Center Genetic Alliance Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic List up to three representative examples of your firm s pro bono matters. Please limit your answer to a short paragraph per matter. In, Baker & Daniels expanded its role with Indianapolis Medical-Legal Partnerships (MLP) and began assisting lowincome women patients who receive cancer treatment at a clinic affiliated with the city s public hospital. Firm lawyers assist clients with preparation of end of life documents (e.g. advance/lifetime directives, low asset wills, power of attorney and guardianships). Lawyers meet with clients at the clinic while the clients receive treatment. The firm designed an MLP externship program with Indiana University Bloomington 40 2012 Vault.com Inc.

Maurer School of Law whereby a team of law students is researching how MLP s could be adapted to serve a rural community (given access to health care and legal assistance challenges facing rural communities). Baker & Daniels continues to provide leadership on the board that oversees MLP and the firm oversees the quarterly trainings provided to the MLP network of health care, legal service providers and pro bono lawyers. Attorneys with Baker & Daniels helped develop the State Appellate Pro Bono Program which operates under the auspices of the Indiana State Bar Association. The program places qualified appellate civil cases (i.e. unrepresented civil litigants who cannot afford an attorney) with a pro bono appellate counsel. Lawyers at the firm routinely represent clients on civil appeals through the State Appellate Program and these occasions provide opportunities to address more broadly domestic violence and domestic relations issues. Also, Baker & Daniels attorneys represent clients in the federal appellate system through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit pro bono program in Chicago. Cases generally involve representation of individuals who have been convicted of criminal charges, although occasionally civil cases are assigned. As appointed counsel through the Seventh Circuit s program, Baker & Daniels lawyers draft briefs and participate in oral arguments on behalf of the clients. In, Baker & Daniels convened community and legal leaders to consider the creation of an individual advocacy platform to serve the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Currently in Indiana, no such platform exists, and there also is not an organizing body for LGBT lawyers or lawyers who want to connect with their LGBT colleagues. Two initiatives are working to identify unmet legal needs, address how to access the LGBT community and to organize/connect pro bono lawyers who want to represent individuals. Baker & Daniels is facilitating and coordinating law student activity at two law schools: (1) developing a clinic to represent LGBT individuals on DV matters and (2) overseeing law student externs to develop a legal CAQ manual for LGBT students (working alongside the Indiana Youth Group, a community organization that works with LGBT youth). Further, the firm is developing a working group within the state bar association to develop an advocacy platform in that context, too. List up to three pro bono matters that are highlights (e.g., a Supreme Court case). Please limit your answer to a short paragraph per matter. Our lawyers provide persons with disabilities pro bono assistance with respect to guardianship matters. For example, our lawyers have spent more than three years working with a particular client who has a mental health disability (hoarding among one of the behavioral diagnoses). The client originally sought transfer of his guardianship because his guardian had his family home excavated. Lawyers represented the client at the hearing to approve the final accounting over our client s objections (the final accounting was triggered by a transfer of guardianship). From that hearing numerous issues arose (e.g., dispute re when a guardian has a conflict of interest and the scope of a guardian s duty to protect and preserve a protected person s property) and we now represent the client on appeal. The issues on appeal are matters of first impression in Indiana (and seemingly across the nation). The result could have a broad-based impact on the administration of guardianships statewide. The firm represented a client in an appeal from a federal drug case as part of the U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit Pro Bono Program. As a result, the client s 293-month sentence was vacated and scheduled for rehearing (240 months is the statutory mandatory minimum). Additionally, the result of this case made new law regarding federal sentencing guidelines and, as such, it will be cited in future cases and will impact federal criminal sentencing procedures and outcomes. In April, the firm won U-Visas for a 39-year-old woman from Mexico and her 15-year-old son. For eight years, the client was verbally abused and sexually assaulted by her partner, and her children were also beaten. In 2007, the client reported the domestic violence and obtained a protective order against her partner. With their U-Visas, the client and her son have legal status in the U.S. and can look to a more stable and promising future without fear of deportation. BY THE NUMBERS What is the total number of hours that lawyers at your U.S. office(s) spent performing pro bono legal services, as defined by the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, in 2008, and? Do not include summer associate or non-lawyer pro bono hours in your answers. Total number of pro bono hours in 2008: 7,947 Total number of pro bono hours in : 5,573 Total number of pro bono hours in : 5,695 What was your attorney headcount in your firm s U.S. offices: Number of attorneys as of December 31, 2008: 329 Number of attorneys as of December 31, : 317 Number of attorneys as of December 31, : 321 Using the number of attorneys listed above, what is the average number of pro bono hours per attorney in your firm s U.S. office(s) during the following years? Average number of hours per attorney in 2008: 24 Average number of hours per attorney in : 18 Average number of hours per attorney in : 18 What percentage of attorneys employed during that calendar year in your firm s U.S. office(s) did at least 20 hours of pro bono work in and? Percentage who did 20+ hours of pro bono work in : 31-40% Percentage who did 20+ hours of pro bono work in : 31-40% Visit www.vault.com 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. 41

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? Are those evaluations taken into account in determining salary or bonuses?, they are taken into account when determining salary, they are taken into account when determining bonuses Are those evaluations taken into account in determining advancement within the firm? Is there a pro bono requirement at your firm? What is the requirement and to whom does it apply? Although pro bono is not mandatory, the firm encourages its lawyers to perform a minimum number of 25 pro bono hours per year. 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 consider pro bono hours when determining bonuses? PRO BONO POINTS What training opportunities are open to associates working on pro bono matters? As a general proposition, Baker & Daniels pro bono program is designed to permit junior attorneys the opportunity to assume first-chair responsibilities in contexts (oral appellate argument, first-chair trial experience, lead transaction attorney) not typically available on billable work for attorneys at the same level of experience. Additionally, our pro bono program affords newer attorneys with an opportunity to initiate and to lead activities to an extent that entry level attorneys typically do not have. A number of associates play an important leadership role in our pro bono program. On a regular basis the firm hosts informational meetings and sponsors trainings for pro bono opportunities. Most recently these included end of life documents preparation, medical-legal partnership monthly grand-rounds and quarterly continuing legal education programs, immigration/asylum trainings, domestic relations and protective order trainings for cases involving victims of domestic violence and Guardian Ad Litem training for child advocacy among others. Does the firm offer the use of support staff in handling pro bono matters? What pro bono opportunities are available for summer associates? Please indicate how many total hours and average hours per person your summer associates spent performing pro bono work in and. Total hours summer associates spent on pro bono work : 673 : 416 Average hours per summer associate spent on pro bono work : 45 : 38 Percentage of summer associates in your firm s U.S. office(s) engaged in pro bono work : 53% : 55% Please provide any additional information about pro bono opportunities available to summer associates. Summer associates participate in a number of pro bono initiatives and perform necessary legal research, development of legal materials and assistance with specific cases. We use law students extensively in assisting with policy analysis and development of broader platforms, as well as assisting in a full range of pro bono client representations. Does the firm have established programs, such as externships, that enable its associates to work in a public interest setting? 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. Baker & Daniels provides financial support to a range of public service and community-based organizations. In general, we try to modify our volunteerism with financial 42 2012 Vault.com Inc.

support. The firm provides financial support to numerous community development initiatives in which the firm has delivered substantial pro bono services. The firm also is a prime financial supporter of legal service providers. We are developing community specific pro bono projects in the cities where we have offices. Additionally, Baker & Daniels developed partnerships with Indiana law schools and initiated collaborations with pro bono, public interest and clinical programs at those respective schools. In, the firm launched semester-long externships whereby teams of law students work on policy-based projects and prepare research related to the development of public interest programs. 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 the spirit of law-related education programs, Baker & Daniels lawyers have a rich tradition that includes teaching at high school, undergraduate, law school and graduate school levels. Every year, the firm hosts Indiana s We The People championship team, and firm lawyers help prepare the students for the national finals competition in Washington, D.C. The students visit the firm s Indianapolis office and perform practice sessions in front of panels of firm lawyers. As part of its law-related education activities, Baker & Daniels collaborates with Eli Lilly and Company s corporate legal department to co-teach a civil course at Shortridge Law & Public Policy Magnet School in Indianapolis. The firm works with the Street Law Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, which partners corporate legal departments with nearby, diverse high school law classes in an effort to engage the students, teach them more about civil law, and encourage them to consider careers in the legal profession. For years, the firm has partnered with an elementary school within the Indianapolis Public Schools to hold regular math and reading tutoring sessions for all classes. The firm also supports child advocacy volunteer efforts and provides training for employees to serve as guardians ad litem in cases where children had been removed from their parents. In Indianapolis, firm volunteers led the Common Project, a project aimed at the development of park and public space in the inner city. Firm volunteers have also worked on projects with Habitat for Humanity. In South Bend, Baker & Daniels developed Daisy Hall Memorial Park, which serves as an outdoor classroom for local youth and a place of peace for local residents. In Fort Wayne, attorneys and staff are involved with The Study Connection, a group that matches elementary school students with adult volunteers. Each week during the school year, students visit the Fort Wayne office to receive homework assistance and preparation with tests. In Washington, D.C., the office is active in the nationwide charitable program, Rebuilding Together - Christmas in April. Our lawyers in Chicago have partnered with various organizations to provide ask-and-advice pro bono efforts and non-legal staff have been engaged in assisting with those activities. Please list any special recognition or awards your firm won in and for its pro bono work. Baker & Daniels and its professionals have received numerous recognitions for their commitment to pro bono and public interest work. Some of the most recent examples include: Publico Awards By Indiana Bar Foundation Baker & Daniels recognized for its role in serving the Medical-Legal Partnership with the Wishard Health Service EMBRACE Clinic for women cancer patients. Baker & Daniels recognized for assistance on legal cases of high importance on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Damian Dom Gosheff of Baker & Daniels recognized for ongoing advocacy on behalf of senior citizens and incapacitated adults, including contributions to the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VISA) in Fort Wayne. Law-Related Education Awards Baker & Daniels received the Indianapolis Bar Association s Dr. John Morton Finney Jr. Award for Excellence in Legal Education for team teaching at Shortridge Magnet High School for Law & Public Policy with Eli Lilly and Company lawyers. Baker & Daniels recognized by the Indiana Bar Foundation for developing and team teaching with Eli Lilly and Company lawyers in the Street Law Corporate Diversity Pipeline Program at Shortridge Magnet High School for Law & Public Policy. Dave Hamacher Public Service Award Jon Laramore of Baker & Daniels received the Dave Hamacher Public Service Award from the Indiana State Bar Association for his significant contributions to the appellate practice in Indiana. Individual Service Awards Judy Ferber of Baker & Daniels received the Indianapolis Bar Association s paralegal award for prolonged support of the Ask-a-Lawyer program. Trina Taylor and Rachel Nguyen of Baker & Daniels recognized by the Heartland Alliance s National Immigrant Justice Center for representing clients who were granted immigration relief. Visit www.vault.com 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. 43

Jon Laramore of Baker & Daniels named the recipient of the Pro Bono Award for Attorney Aiding Entities by the Indianapolis Bar Association. Please add any additional information about your firm s pro bono program. Baker & Daniels has a long-standing commitment to public and community-based service and upholds pro bono and public interest work as an important part of our 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. The firm recognizes that pro bono work appears in a wide variety of forms. Although the majority of pro bono representation is provided to individuals and organizations that are unable to pay for legal services, pro bono services also may be provided in matters of significant public interest. In accepting such cases, the firm considers the potential to contribute to significant developments in the law, as well as its ability to establish or enforce important legal rights. Today, lawyers, paralegals and other professionals at Baker & Daniels are involved in dozens of pro bono cases affecting communities, states, the nation and the world. The firm is engaged in projects that offer assistance for victims of domestic violence, child advocacy, veteran s benefits, deployed Indiana National Guardsmen and women and development/creation of a statewide pro bono program to address these unmet needs, immigration and political asylum, medical-legal partnerships and patient advocacy, criminal appeals in federal court, state appeals in civil cases, advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities, defendants in capital litigation, development of an LGBT advocacy platform, end of life documents for the elderly, gender-based advocacy, Holocaust Survivors Justice Network cases, tax-exempt organizations, neighborhood associations, youth sports, arts and more. Beyond the firm s initiatives, Baker & Daniels actively participates on a formal and continuous basis with Indiana s legal service providers on various pro bono-related matters and events. The firm collaborates with the Legal Clinics and Pro Bono Departments of tre Dame Law School, Indiana University Maurer School of Law-Bloomington and Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. With the help of these institutions, the firm developed various programs aimed at supporting the pro bono and public interest efforts of law students, including pro bono fellowship opportunities, developing clinical programs, externship policy-based research opportunities and hosting and funding recognition receptions and pro bono awards. Each year, Baker & Daniels honors select individuals within the firms with Pro Bono & Public Interest Awards. The honor is given to lawyers, paralegals and other professionals who have dedicated their time and effort to pro bono projects. Lawyers, paralegals and other professionals are encouraged to participate in other civic and public service activities that fall outside of the definition of legal pro bono, 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. In just a few years, Baker & Daniels has developed or participated in numerous pro bono projects and has multiplied the type of pro bono services it provides to the community. In recent years, the firm s Pro Bono Committee hosted multiple trainings and informational programs to prepare lawyers for specific pro bono projects and cases. The firm has between 25 and 30 initiatives that are active or in development. These initiatives offer ongoing pro bono opportunities for lawyers and most are the collaborative efforts of the firm and other legal service agencies/providers or organizations that address the needs of the poor and underserved. 44 2012 Vault.com Inc.