Norah C. Rogers
Pro Bono Coordinator
Tel: 803.376.9546
Email:norah.rogers@nelsonmullins.com
William S. Davies, Jr.
Chair, Pro Bono Committee
Tel: 803.255.9406
Email: bill.davies@nelsonmullins.com
In the late 1980s, several partners, including Claude Scarborough, Dick Riley, and Steve Morrison, began considering the implementation of a formal pro bono program. In 1988, Stuart Andrews, a former statewide legal services director, was recruited to join Nelson Mullins, in part for the purpose of designing such a program. After studying several pro bono programs at leading firms around the country, Stuart proposed a program consisting of the following key elements: 1) a standing Pro Bono Committee to administer the program; 2) a goal of a minimum number of annual pro bono hours per attorney; 3) a program that took advantage of Nelson Mullins’ resources by encouraging large, “impact” pro bono projects; and 4) full billable and collections credit for pro bono matters meeting Nelson Mullins’ definition of “pro bono” and approved by the Pro Bono Committee. Nearly 20 years later, these remain the principal elements of our program.
Dick Riley was appointed as chair of the ad hoc Pro Bono Committee, which studied Stuart’s proposal and recommended it to the Executive Committee. The proposal was approved, and Ed Mullins served as chair of the first standing Pro Bono Committee. In 1990, George Cauthen joined Nelson Mullins to head its bankruptcy team, and, almost immediately, George became the leading advocate, both inside and outside Nelson Mullins, for the Pro Bono Program. Shortly afterward, Norah Rogers became the pro bono coordinator. In the years since, George, Norah, and a revolving list of committee chairs have led the program to recognition as one of the top pro bono programs in the country.
Nelson Mullins is committed to serving the public welfare. In 2005, the firm received the John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award from the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association, and the William B. Spann, Jr. Award from the State Bar of Georgia, that organization’s highest pro bono honor.
In 1992, Nelson Mullins earned the ABA’s Pro Bono Publico Award, given annually to law firms for extraordinary contributions in providing legal services to the poor and disadvantaged. Nelson Mullins became a charter member of the Pro Bono Challenge in 1993, further evidence of its institutional commitment to pro bono services.
In 2007, Nelson Mullins dedicated 4.8 percent of billable time to pro bono service and recorded 39,584 pro bono hours. A total of 392 new pro bono matters were opend in 2007 to serve clients. Nelson Mullins' pro bono program is administered by a firm wide Pro Bono Committee and a Pro Bono Coordinator.
The Firm is committed to handling complex pro bono litigation, corporate matters and legislative advocacy, as well as individual pro bono representation. The firm has sponsored externships and fellowships with several agencies, including the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center and the South Carolina Center for Capital Litigation.
In 1997, to mark its own 100th year of service, Nelson Mullins established five centennial fellowships to fund the work of attorneys focusing exclusively on children's issues.
Video: An African Parable - From the closing arguments of the case of Abbeville County School District, et al. v. The State of South Carolina, et al. in Manning December 9, 2004.
Click here to visit the Adequacy In Education Web site
Click here to download a copy of Nelson Mullins' 2007 Pro Bono Report.
Related links
JUSTGeorgia: www.justgeorgia.org.
Wills for Heroes: www.willsforheroes.org/
Four Nelson Mullins Attorneys Recognized for Pro Bono Work
02-28-2008
Nelson Mullins Paralegals Earn Pro Bono Awards
05-07-2008
Stuart Andrews Honored With National Equal Justice Award
11-14-2007
Former First Lady Honors Stan Jones
08-02-2007
Three Nelson Mullins Paralegals Honored for Pro Bono Work
05-24-2007
George Cauthen Receives S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center 2007 Advocate of the Year
05-09-2007
Erik Norton Recognized for Pro Bono Work
04-18-2007
In Remembrance of September 11, 2001, Free Wills Offered to Heroes
09-07-2007
Case Studies
Cases and Clients Referenced in Pro Bono Publico – A Retrospective
- Abbeville County School District, et al. vs. State of South Carolina, et al.
- Anti-Stalking Legislation, State of South Carolina
- Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. – TeamChild Atlanta
- Carechild e.V.
- Center for Capital LitigationCobb Housing, Inc.
- Cobb Housing, Inc.Crystal Engineering, Inc. vs. Palmetto Place Children’s Emergency Shelter, et al.
- Doe vs. State of South Carolina
- Entrepreneurs Foundation of the Southeast, Inc.
- George, Freddie B. vs. State of South Carolina
- Gift of Life Trust Fund
- Grand Strand Community Against Rape, Inc.
- Habitat for Humanity
- Horry County Department of Social Services vs. Doe
- Immigration and Naturalization Service – In Re Girma Taffesse Endris
- Innovate Alternatives for Women
- Jethroe, Sam et al. vs. Major League Baseball Pension Fund, et al.
- Lexington County, South Carolina – Department of Social Services vs. John Doe
- Lexington County, South Carolina – Guardian ad Litem Program
- Lynwood Park Community Development Corp.
- Mental Health Services in the State of Georgia
- Nelson Mullins Centennial Fellowships
- Newberry, Thomas vs. Georgia Department of Medical Assistance
- Palmetto Innocence Project
- Promoting Democracy in Zambia
- Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc.
- Richland County, South Carolina – Office of the Solicitor
- S., Alexander, et al. vs. Richard E. McLawhorn, et al.
- SSI Kids Disability Project
- Sanders, Brian – Representation for Parole
- Souper Bowl of Caring
- South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center
- South Carolina Centers for Equal Justice
- South Carolina Local Rule 4001.2
- Street Center – Richmond, Virginia
- Town of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina
- Wills for Heroes
Contact Us to receive the Nelson Mullins Pro Bono Retrospective
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