Page 26 - Katten 2021 Pro Bono Annual Review

Katten’s Commitment to Pro Bono Recognized by Key Partners

Recognition for a job well done is like icing on the cake, or an extra scoop of ice cream.
It’s not always necessary, especially when praise isn’t a goal. But it sure is sweet
and appreciated when given. This year Katten is grateful to have received recognition
for pro bono work from peers in the firm’s partnering organizations.

CHICAGO LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS LAUDS KATTEN
FOR EXTRAORDINARY COVID-19 SERVICE

The Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, a group of civil rights attorneys and advocates working to
secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all, named Katten its “Pro Bono Honoree” for the firm’s out-
standing pro bono support of the committee’s COVID-19 Virtual Legal Clinic in a special ceremony held on
June 3. The Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights launched its virtual legal clinic in March 2020 to help
nonprofits and small businesses overcome legal issues they faced during the pandemic. In a “Power of
Connections” video featured as part of the event, the committee’s Director of Pro Bono Works Erica Spangler
Raz praised Katten for going “above and beyond” to help the organization’s clients.

“ During the Illinois shutdown, we heard from many nonprofits and small
businesses who were facing legal issues due to the economic impact of

the pandemic. These issues especially impacted communities of color.
Pro bono attorneys at Katten truly made our legal clinic a success. Their

skills and expertise with emergency relief funds, tax exempt organization
law, contracts, and real estate saved small businesses from bankruptcy

and preserved numerous jobs in small nonprofits.” ERICA SPANGLER RAZ

The video features Katten’s work with the virtual clinic as a case
study, showing how helping an organization with a business lease
helped a small organization keep operating during the pandemic.

Katten’s director of pro bono services Jonathan Baum discussed how
Katten attorneys became even more energized to help others when the
COVID-19 pandemic hit. From the most junior associates to the most
senior partners, Katten attorneys were jumping at the chance to help. And
in this case, speed was of the essence.

“It was crisis work,” Jonathan said. Corporate, intellectual property, nonprofit
and real estate attorneys were organized in squads to respond quickly. When
Jonathan was asked about how he defines success, he quoted Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward jus-
tice.” But, Jonathan continued, the arc doesn’t bend itself. “You have to put in a bend
to make it move toward justice,” he said. “And so I figure every bend you make in that
arc toward justice is a success.”

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