Eric Angel, Executive Director

Legal Aid is thrilled to announce that this year’s Generous Associates Campaign has raised more than $975,000 from 68 local law firms, making it – by far – the most successful Campaign in history!  The Generous Associates Campaign is a fundraising campaign run by law firm associates to raise money for Legal Aid, the oldest and largest general civil legal services program in the District.
This year, the Campaign, which was led by more than 170 law firm associates, also garnered a record-breaking number of individual gifts.

To put this remarkable achievement into perspective, last year, we set a goal of $800,000, and raised a record-shattering $901,000.  This year, our Co-Chairs set a truly ambitious goal of $925,000 – a 15% increase over last year’s goal.  Yet, even with two fewer weeks in the Campaign right out of the gate, our Co-Chairs and Coordinators have managed to not only meet that goal, they have exceeded it by an astounding $50,000.

Lisa Blatt, Partner at Arnold & Porter LLP

Arnold & Porter LLP’s Lisa Blatt, Honorary Chair of this year’s Campaign, said, “It was incredible to see the enthusiasm of associates, partners, staff, and counsel raising money for Legal Aid and its client community.  I am overwhelmed when I think about the lives that will be changed – and the justice served – because of the success of this record-breaking Campaign.”

In what could have been a very tough fundraising environment, the law firms of WilmerHale and Latham & Watkins once again led the charge, ending the Campaign raising more than $84,000 each, with Williams & Connolly LLP raising in excess of $50,000.  Also worthy of special mention are top firms in their respective size categories: Gilbert LLP, Miller & Chevalier Chartered, Mayer Brown LLP, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  The Top Firms Fundraising Competition of the Generous Associates Campaign allows firms of all sizes to compete for recognition based on the number of lawyers in their Washington, D.C. office.  Full results of the Top Firms Fundraising Competition of the Generous Associates Campaign have now been posted.

“We are so grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s record-breaking Generous Associates Campaign,” said Eric Angel, Legal Aid’s Executive Director.  “It is truly extraordinary that D.C.’s generous associates (and partners and others) are able to raise one-fifth of the operating budget for the District’s largest general poverty law program.”