Pardon Our Dust
We recently launched this new site and are still in the process of updating some of our archived content. Some details of this article may be incomplete, links may be broken, and other elements may not display properly yet. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
McGuireWoods Consulting is proud to announce a national pro bono initiative focused on highlighting and formalizing pro bono activities within the firm. Since the launch of McGuireWoods Consulting in 1998, pro bono activities have been a part of its culture. Many team members have utilized their knowledge and skills on a pro bono basis to help forge meaningful and beneficial public policy initiatives, improve laws and access public funding.
“The implementation of a pro bono program at MWC is a natural extension of the community minded culture that we’ve enjoyed since our founding 21 years ago,” said MWC chairman, Mark Bowles. “We have a history of giving back – whether it’s thousands of dollars raised for Toys for Tots, working to eliminate human trafficking, or helping a non-profit find funding for a medical clinic in an underserved area, MWC makes our communities and our people a priority.”
Through the newly created pro bono initiative, MWC maintains its commitment of service to those in need by encouraging all team members in their pro bono work. McGuireWoods Consulting plans to recognize selected pro bono work annually with the Atkinson-Payne Pro Bono Award, named for MWC’s two original leaders.
“It’s time we formally recognize these important contributions by our staff, and I can think of no finer people to name our award after than our two original leaders, Frank Atkinson and L.F. Payne,” said Jim Hodges, president of McGuireWoods Consulting and former governor of South Carolina. “The Atkinson-Payne Pro Bono Award appropriately reflects two individuals who exemplify the values that make our firm so special.”
Mona Mohib, senior vice president on the firm’s federal public affairs team and co-leader of the pro bono initiative, echoed Hodges. “I speak from experience when I say that members of MWC have gained much satisfaction from our public-facing work.” Mohib played a pivotal role in collaborating with MWC’s parent firm, McGuireWoods LLP, to shape legislation that would help American military veterans shield disability and other Veterans Administration benefits during bankruptcy proceedings. The Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need (HAVEN) Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate March 6, would reverse an inequity in the law that harms service members facing financial distress.
Pro bono initiative co-leader and senior vice president Jeff Barnhart added, “At MWC we win every day for our clients, and there is no greater feeling than a win for a client of limited means that results in changing someone’s life.”
In addition to MWC’s formalized commitment to pro bono activities, the firm continues to collaborate with McGuireWoods LLP on pro bono opportunities involving government affairs and legal advocacy.
“McGuireWoods Consulting has long-held the values of giving back to the community, and we’re excited to formally strengthen our pro bono partnership,” said McGuireWoods LLP managing partner J. Tracy Walker IV. “Our clients and our community will benefit from this focused effort.”