MCGUIREWOODS' COMMITMENT TO THE MINORITY COMMUNITY
With a long and distinguished record of community involvement, we continually demonstrate our commitment to initiating, leading and supporting activities that benefit the minority community in every locality where we have offices.
Many of our lawyers and their families support and help strengthen programs that help minority students with college preparation and tuition; help revitalize historically African-American neighborhoods; reach out to adults and children in public housing; coach minority high school moot court teams; serve on the boards of historically black universities and colleges; and participate in Junior Achievement programs and career day events in inner city schools.
We provide many hundreds of hours, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in free legal time, to handle pro bono legal aid matters and court-appointed cases; and support, with time and money, a variety of cultural, advocacy and recreational programs that benefit minorities.
In recognition of our commitment to diversity, we have been named the inaugural recipient of International Paper's Lighthouse Award -- an award presented to International Paper's legal department supplier, who by example and leadership, has distinguished itself in the area of diversity. We also actively support the DuPont Private Law Firm Network's Minority Job Bank.
We have also been awarded the prestigious Minority Corporate Counsel Association's Thomas L. Sager Award for our commitment to the hiring, retention and promotion of ethnic minority lawyers. The MCCA is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization committed to fostering diversity in the legal profession. Several McGuireWoods clients are represented on MCCA's board of directors; and the firm has been active with MCCA as a member of the Outside Counsel Strategic Planning Committee, and in raising funds to support the association's Minority Job Bank. We also provided significant support to MCCA's first annual CLE Expo.
DIVERSITY BAR ASSOCIATIONS
Another way the firm supports diversity is through actively supporting minority bar associations and encouraging our minority lawyers to be active in them. Many of our African-American lawyers are active in the National Bar Association; and McGuireWoods was selected to participate in the American Bar Association's Minority Counsel Demonstration Program, due to our diversity record.
The managing partner of our Baltimore office, who is African-American, is the chairman of the Baltimore City Minority Clerkship Program -- a program that identifies exceptional minority students in Maryland law schools for summer employment at large Baltimore law firms. He has also held leadership roles in Baltimore's Monumental City Bar Association.
One of our Atlanta African-American partners has been heavily involved in the Gate City Bar Association. Another Atlanta partner sits on the Gate City Bar Association's Nominations Committee; on the Planning Committee of the National Employment Law Council, a group made up of minority in-house and outside counsel practicing labor and employment defense; and is the founding chair of the Pacific/McGeorge Black Alumni Association, which he started. The Pacific/McGeorge Black Alumni Association is working with the law school to recruit and retain African-American law students and faculty.
One of our Atlanta associates sits on the board of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and serves as its membership chair. One of female Chicago partners has been active in the Cook County Bar Association, and served on the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms. Several of the firm's African-American partners have been leaders in the Old Dominion Bar Association in Virginia. An African-American female partner in Richmond served on the Millennium Diversity Initiative Committee of the Virginia State Bar Association.
In 2003, an African-American partner in our Atlanta office was named one of America's leading African-American lawyers by Black Enterprise magazine, and was profiled among "America's Top Black Lawyers" in the magazine's November edition.
EDUCATIONAL
CARVER PROMISE
More than a decade ago, McGuireWoods teamed with several Richmond corporations and four area universities to establish the Carver Promise. This nationally recognized program is located at and named for the predominantly minority G.W. Carver Elementary School, the oldest public elementary school in the city of Richmond. Entire classes of students enter the program in the third grade and remain in it through the 12th grade. During this period, mentors from area universities and companies, as well as an array of additional supporters, are provided to help these disadvantaged students work toward high school graduation and college admission.
Two of our lawyers served on the founding board; many of our lawyers serve as mentors; we reserve intern positions each summer for two Carver Promise high school students; the firm provides significant financial assistance for the program; one of our partners acquired a corporate grant and formed the Carver Alumni and Friends Association; and one of our partners currently chairs the Carver Promise Board of Directors.
THE CHICAGO CHALLENGE
One of our Chicago partners is the founder and president of the Chicago Challenge -- a tax-exempt charitable and educational organization that provides some of Chicago's most economically disadvantaged inner city children opportunities to realize their full potential. Since its inception in 1994, numerous members of McGuireWoods have devoted countless dollars and hours to help the organization provide its scholars with quality education, health care, psychological counseling, after school tutoring, and extracurricular activities.
TOMORROW'S PROMISE
Tomorrow's Promise is a college scholarship program established by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to assist the children of public housing tenants. When McGuireWoods was recognized at a dinner in 2001 for its financial contribution, one of our associates -- a former RRHA resident and recipient of the Tomorrow's Promise scholarship -- received the award on our behalf.
FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
Originally founded by the Quakers, this organization has assisted residents of public housing for several years with daycare, after school care, mentoring, tutoring and counseling services. One of our partners served as president, and a number of our lawyers have served on the board for several years. The firm has also made financial contributions to support the association.
VIRGINIA HEROES
Our lawyers have participated in this program, which was founded by Arthur Ashe. Participants mentor students from Richmond public schools.
LUNCH BUDDIES
Several of our partners and associates participate in this program by committing to a monthly luncheon with a child at a local public school.
GARFIELD CHILDS MEMORIAL FUND
Garfield Childs was a former chairman of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. In his will, he left significant funds for the creation of a program to provide educational assistance to the children of public housing residents. With the assistance of McGuireWoods, the Garfield Childs Memorial Fund program was established. Children receive tutorial assistance and classes on a variety of computer-related topics using new computers acquired by the fund. McGuireWoods lawyers have served as tutors and board members, and continue to provide pro bono legal services to the program.
WOMEN IN THE LAW
Pre-qualified female students at Spelman College in Atlanta, who have demonstrated an interest in law, are employed in our Atlanta office for approximately 10 hours per week during the school year as paid interns and litigation management assistants. Many of these women have gone on to law school. Spelman is a private, liberal arts college, historically attended by African-American women.
EDUCATIONAL/RECREATIONAL
EXPLORER SCOUTING PROGRAM
McGuireWoods partners and associates have long been involved in the Explorer Program that is designed to assist students who may want to pursue careers in the legal profession. Many of the meetings are held at the firm. Our teams have won national competitions.
FIRST TEE
First Tee is a nonprofit group whose mission is to give minority youth access to the game of golf. This project will include at least three golf courses and teaching facilities, and the upgrading of Richmond's existing driving range. McGuireWoods provided pro bono legal services for the golf course proposed in Chesterfield County. When Chesterfield was sued for approving the zoning and the project, we represented First Tee (and the county's interests) in the lawsuit (pro bono). We have since represented First Tee (pro bono) in connection with its development agreement with the city of Richmond, and the project there has been completed -- making it Richmond's second First Tee program. McGuireWoods also represented First Tee in federal court litigation, defending the issuance of the first course's permits and federal funding. We tried and won the case.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
For several years, McGuireWoods partners have served on the Boys and Girls Clubs' Boards of Directors and the Foundation Board. In the city of Richmond, all but one of the Boys and Girls Clubs' locations are in minority neighborhoods. At least three of the locations are in or adjacent to public housing properties.
CULTURAL/RECREATIONAL
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
At the request of the NAACP, McGuireWoods assisted with the formation of the African-American Festival Foundation. The firm continues to provide pro bono legal services to the foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing an annual festival in Baltimore, Maryland. The three-day festival features local and national entertainers, cultural and educational exhibits, and a wide variety of arts and crafts. Community organizations, area museums and local merchants offer displays, as well as ethnic and local food. The foundation advances several purposes, including educating the public regarding the history and culture of the African-American community; providing a showcase of minority arts, including scientific, performing and visual arts; and providing ecumenical religious fellowship opportunities.
U.S. NATIONAL SLAVERY MUSEUM
Founded by former Virginia governor Douglas Wilder, the museum is slated to open in Fredericksburg in 2007. McGuireWoods has been instrumental in planning this museum, helped it obtain tax-exempt status, and has provided pro bono legal services for more than eight years.
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF RICHMOND
McGuireWoods provided many hours of pro bono work to assist the museum with the development of its new facility adjacent to the Science Museum of Virginia, and several of our lawyers and their families have held leadership roles as directors and fundraisers. The museum is as a vital interactive, educational resource for students of Richmond's public school system.
RICHMOND BOYS CHOIR
The Richmond Boys Choir was modeled after the Harlem Boys Choir, designed to give at risk males a much needed outlet through music. The choir has been a tremendous success, and McGuireWoods has supported it with financial contributions.
METROPOLITAN JR. BASEBALL LEAGUE
One of our minority associates served as chairman of this baseball league for inner city youth teams.
ECONOMIC/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
RICHMOND RENAISSANCE
Through Richmond Renaissance, McGuireWoods has contributed countless hours of free legal time to assist with the revitalization of downtown Richmond. One of our lawyers served as chairman of Richmond Renaissance and continues to serve on its Executive Committee. Richmond Renaissance has undertaken the redevelopment of Jackson Ward, a historically African-American neighborhood, as one of its priority projects.
SOUTHSIDE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
SHCD has built hundreds of homes in the Manchester area of Richmond. One of our lawyers helped SHCD obtain its tax-exempt status (pro bono) and served on the initial board, and another currently serves on the SHCD board and as corporate secretary. SHCD has helped rebuild a blighted, predominantly minority area of south Richmond and has received recognition from the city of Richmond for its outstanding efforts in this regard.
BETTER HOUSING COALITION
McGuireWoods has provided pro bono legal services to the Better Housing Coalition, which is a community development corporation organized to provide affordable housing in the metropolitan area. Members of McGuireWoods' real estate group have worked on this matter.
HIGHLAND PARK RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION
McGuireWoods has assisted the Highland Park Restoration and Preservation Group, which is responsible for revitalizing the Highland Park (minority community) area of Richmond.
EMERGING BUSINESS FORUM
In conjunction with Black Enterprise, McGuireWoods has helped sponsor the annual emerging business forums in Northern Virginia. One of our Tysons Corner partners served as chairman of the inaugural forum.
MINORITY CONTRACTORS
McGuireWoods has participated in several programs designed to help minority-owned firms gain access to business contacts.
CITY OF RICHMOND SISTER COMMISSION
One of our minority partners serves on this commission.
GREATER RICHMOND EMERGING LEADERS GROUP
One of our minority associates belongs to this group of business and political leaders.
CHESTERFIELD BUSINESS COUNCIL
One of our minority partners is a cabinet member for this council.
ADVOCACY
URBAN LEAGUE
McGuireWoods has supported the Urban League in Richmond and the Urban League in Northern Virginia. Our partners serve on the regional boards of the Urban League.
RICHMOND REACHOUT
Richmond Reachout is a ministry to Richmond's public housing communities that provides a variety of social services, medical clinics and free food to public housing residents. In 2001, Richmond Reachout distributed more than 1 million pounds of free food. McGuireWoods was instrumental in helping Richmond Reachout establish valuable relationships with the city of Richmond to allow it to function directly in public housing.
NAACP
McGuireWoods has made significant financial contributions to the NAACP.
OLD DOMINION BAR ASSOCIATION
McGuireWoods has made financial contributions to the minority ODBA.
MONUMENTAL CITY BAR ASSOCIATION (BALTIMORE)
One of our minority partners recently served as president of this group.
