DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE
2024 Pro Bono & Social Impact Report
Friends, Colleagues, Clients, and Fellow Do-Gooders ...
The pages of this report are more than just a celebration of Davis Wright Tremaine’s unwavering commitment to pro bono and social impact – they are a testament to the extraordinary ways our attorneys, business professionals, and in-house partners have uplifted lives, broken barriers, and championed essential causes through innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering devotion to doing good in the world.
This year’s report offers compelling client stories and a heartfelt look at how we’ve harnessed AI and technology to expand access to justice. It explores how we advanced groundbreaking policy changes through impact-driven legal representation and built pivotal partnerships with in-house legal departments. It highlights the growth of our flagship pro bono initiative, ProJourn, as well as the remarkable expansion of our first-of-its-kind pro bono platform, Gateway to Good, which has empowered numerous in-house teams to amplify their community impact.
At its core, this report serves as an important reminder that the pursuit of justice not only transforms the lives of those we serve, but it also profoundly enriches our own. It also confirms that the greatest impact we can have on in-need communities is not in isolation, but through collaboration.
Inspired by these strategic partnerships and the indomitable spirit that carried us through 2024, I invite our readership to join us in breaking barriers, amplifying impact, and transforming access to justice into a reality for everyone, everywhere.
With gratitude,
Joanna Plichta Boisen
CHIEF PRO BONO & SOCIAL IMPACT OFFICER | Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Friends, Colleagues, Clients, and Fellow Do-Gooders ...
The pages of this report are more than just a celebration of Davis Wright Tremaine’s unwavering commitment to pro bono and social impact – they are a testament to the extraordinary ways our attorneys, business professionals, and in-house partners have uplifted lives, broken barriers, and championed essential causes through innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering devotion to doing good in the world.
This year’s report offers compelling client stories and a heartfelt look at how we’ve harnessed AI and technology to expand access to justice. It explores how we advanced groundbreaking policy changes through impact-driven legal representation and built pivotal partnerships with in-house legal departments. It highlights the growth of our flagship pro bono initiative, ProJourn, as well as the remarkable expansion of our first-of-its-kind pro bono platform, Gateway to Good, which has empowered numerous in-house teams to amplify their community impact.
At its core, this report serves as an important reminder that the pursuit of justice not only transforms the lives of those we serve, but it also profoundly enriches our own. It also confirms that the greatest impact we can have on in-need communities is not in isolation, but through collaboration.
Inspired by these strategic partnerships and the indomitable spirit that carried us through 2024, I invite our readership to join us in breaking barriers, amplifying impact, and transforming access to justice into a reality for everyone, everywhere.
With gratitude,
Joanna Plichta Boisen
CHIEF PRO BONO & SOCIAL IMPACT OFFICER
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Our 2024 Pro Bono & Social Impact Report is dedicated to the memory of our beloved partner, Bruce E.H. Johnson. Revered for decades as one of the country’s leading First Amendment lawyers, Bruce spent his entire legal career — nearly 50 years — at Davis Wright Tremaine. He not only served many of the country’s most prominent media institutions, but he also championed the speech rights of countless pro bono clients.
In every way, Bruce reflected the highest values of our firm. He authored a major treatise on media law and helped craft laws that protect free speech around the country. Both clients and colleagues appreciated his brilliance and encyclopedic knowledge of First Amendment law while also valuing his humility and kindness toward everyone. He selflessly devoted countless hours to mentoring and developing younger lawyers, including many of the partners leading DWT’s media practice today.
Bruce passed away on August 20, 2024, and we at DWT will miss him forever.
Our 2024 Pro Bono & Social Impact Report is dedicated to the memory of our beloved partner, Bruce E.H. Johnson. Revered for decades as one of the country’s leading First Amendment lawyers, Bruce spent his entire legal career — nearly 50 years — at Davis Wright Tremaine. He not only served many of the country’s most prominent media institutions, but he also championed the speech rights of countless pro bono clients.
In every way, Bruce reflected the highest values of our firm. He authored a major treatise on media law and helped craft laws that protect free speech around the country. Both clients and colleagues appreciated his brilliance and encyclopedic knowledge of First Amendment law while also valuing his humility and kindness toward everyone. He selflessly devoted countless hours to mentoring and developing younger lawyers, including many of the partners leading DWT’s media practice today.
Bruce passed away on August 20, 2024, and we at DWT will miss him forever.
"Bruce was also singularly the most brilliant and kind lawyer I’ve ever worked with."
Tom Burke
"It’s hard to speak of Bruce since his loss was so painful to so many of us, but it must be said, of all the lawyers at Davis Wright, he was the most decent, the most considerate, the most intelligent, the most knowledgeable."
Victor Kovner
"Bruce was one of the humblest people I’ve ever known. He never wanted to take credit for his own accomplishments or the accomplishments he inspired and supported . . . [Bruce was] an excellent lawyer, colleague, Facebooker, arts enthusiast, trivia teammate, mentor, colleague, friend, and person. I will miss him dearly."
Ambika Kumar
"Bruce was a polymath. He could dredge up the most arcane bit of knowledge or case site from a seemingly endless store of knowledge . . . he was gentle, gracious and self-effacing . . . I am so glad I had the privilege of knowing you, Bruce, and I miss you keenly."
Rob Balin
"Bruce, your firm loved you from the day you stepped through the doors until the day you left us. Thank you for everything."
Allie Nicholson
"Bruce was also singularly the most brilliant and kind lawyer I’ve ever worked with."
Tom Burke
"It’s hard to speak of Bruce since his loss was so painful to so many of us, but it must be said, of all the lawyers at Davis Wright, he was the most decent, the most considerate, the most intelligent, the most knowledgeable."
Victor Kovner
"Bruce was one of the humblest people I’ve ever known. He never wanted to take credit for his own accomplishments or the accomplishments he inspired and supported . . . [Bruce was] an excellent lawyer, colleague, Facebooker, arts enthusiast, trivia teammate, mentor, colleague, friend, and person. I will miss him dearly."
Ambika Kumar
"Bruce was a polymath. He could dredge up the most arcane bit of knowledge or case site from a seemingly endless store of knowledge . . . he was gentle, gracious and self-effacing . . . I am so glad I had the privilege of knowing you, Bruce, and I miss you keenly."
Rob Balin
"Bruce, your firm loved you from the day you stepped through the doors until the day you left us. Thank you for everything."
Allie Nicholson
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP
Ability, integrity, and service to others – these are the three pillars on which Davis Wright Tremaine was built. As our founding partner once famously said, “…unless we are serving mankind to the top extent of our ability and putting our best talent into that service, what good is life?”
Learn More at DWT.COM
CONTENTS
What We Do and Why >
The Power of Partnerships >
Civil Rights and Social Justice >
- Voting Rights
- Journalists/First Amendment
- Women’s Rights
- LGBTQIA+
- Prisoner/Civil Rights
Advocacy for Underserved Communities >
- Veterans
- Homelessness Prevention
- DV Protection
- Immigration
Awards and Recognition >
Our Pro Bono & Social Impact Team >
CONTENTS
What We Do and Why >
The Power of Partnerships >
Civil Rights and Social Justice >
- Voting Rights
- Journalists/First Amendment
- Women’s Rights
- LGBTQIA+
- Prisoner/Civil Rights
Advocacy for Underserved Communities >
- Veterans
- Homelessness Prevention
- DV Protection
- Immigration
Awards and Recognition >
Our Pro Bono & Social Impact Team >
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP
Ability, integrity, and service to others – these are the three pillars on which Davis Wright Tremaine was built. As our founding partner once famously said, “…unless we are serving mankind to the top extent of our ability and putting our best talent into that service, what good is life?”
Learn More at DWT.COM
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