“Cleary’s Pro Bono practice is committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable individuals around the world. Our people consistently go above and beyond to advance that mission, providing support to small businesses, immigrants and refugees seeking safety, racial justice and police accountability advocates on the front lines, and partner organizations globally. I am continually inspired by this collective effort to contribute to creating positive change.”
Katherine Hughes
Director of Pro Bono - U.S.
Pro Bono and Community Service
At Cleary, pro bono is at the core of our culture and founding principles.
We’re dedicated to using our skills and talents to help others and take pride in serving those who might not otherwise have the benefit of strong legal representation. Some notable recent pro bono efforts include:
- Fighting local and international human rights abuses, including settling an important lawsuit to help eradicate sexual abuse by guards at Rikers Island.
- Working with The Legal Aid Society to successfully secure vacatur for a wrongfully convicted client who serviced more than 20 years in prison.
- Partnering with the Veterans Assistance Project, ensuring that veterans receive fair treatment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Uniting with the International Refugee Assistance Project during the Syrian refugee crises in Europe.
- Helping hundreds of immigrants and refugees find safety and security.
- Working with Death Row prisoners to get them resentenced and released through the Malawi Death Penalty Resentencing Project.
- Collaborating with other law firms to help research female genital mutilation in Africa.
- Advising pro bono clients at Toynbee Hall’s Free Legal Advice Centre.
- Partnering with the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund and the National Bail Out Campaign, which provide bail for caregivers and community members who cannot afford bail while awaiting trial in local jails and immigration centers.
- Advising nonprofits that work tirelessly to better the world.
We approach our pro bono work exactly as we approach our paying cases: putting the full resources of the firm toward the needs of the client. Hundreds of our attorneys worldwide dedicate themselves, voluntarily, to pro bono work.
- 70% of attorneys worked on pro bono matters
- 700+ pro bono clients served
- 23,000+ hours spent on defending the rights of immigrants and refugees
- 100,000+ pro bono and public service hours
To learn more about Cleary’s pro bono practice, accolades and initiatives, please read our brochure and visit our Pro Bono Practice page.