MOSAIC - sftp.polsinelli.com · POLSINELLI.COM Polsinelli Shareholder, Vice Chair of the firm’s national Intellectual Property Litigation practice and Diversity and Inclusion Committee

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AND PRO BONO NEWSLETTER | 1 POLSINELLI.COM

VOL. 1

MOSAICDIVERSITY & INCLUSION AND PRO BONO NEWSLETTER

Pat Woolley’s Time in ‘Diversity Lab’ Leads to the Incubation of a Winning Idea

Pat Woolley (KC), sponsored by the Polsinelli Women's Initiative Committee, represented the firm as a participant in Diversity Lab's 2018 Fall Diversity in Law Hackathon, where his team won second place for their creative idea—The Sponsorship Key.

Woolley's team, aptly named 'The Gap Busters,' created an enhanced sponsorship

program designed to help close the diverse leadership gap by putting more focus on the key drivers of success for sponsorship programs.

'The Sponsorship Key' focuses on four areas: (1) the selection and matching of proteges and sponsors; (2) focused roles for all participants; (3) revamped accountability and success metrics; and (4) rewards for successful participants. Through the program, sponsorship team participants have specified roles and areas of focus to support their proteges based on their unique strengths and experience.

Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in the law. Innovative, experiential ideas are birthed through the organization's Hackathons. Winning ideas are subsequently piloted around the country in collaboration with more than 50 top law firms and legal departments. In 2016, the winning initiative was the Mansfield Rule, which requires participating law firms to consider a diverse slate of candidates for committee and leadership appointments. For the 2018 competition, Diversity Lab selected the first and second place winning concepts as their pilot initiatives.

Patrick C. WoolleyChair, Intellectual Property Department

https://www.polsinelli.com/


Polsinelli Adopts Enhanced Parental Leave Benefits“A key element of support for our lawyers is our commitment to policies designed to facilitate the always challenging balance of work and family,” said the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Chase Simmons (KC); as he announced Polsinelli’s new policy on parental leave.

Under the new policy, parents are entitled to four weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. Additionally, a parent who will be the primary caregiver for the new child is entitled to an additional 10 weeks of paid leave, allowing for a total of 14 weeks.

“We understand that the joy of an expanding family is often coupled with professional demands. We are hopeful that this new policy provides some relief during periods of transition,” said Simmons. He and all our firm leadership encourage all eligible attorneys to take advantage of the benefit.

Crain’s Chicago Business honored Shareholder Rodney Lewis (CHI) as one of 2018’s “Most Notable Minority Lawyers.”

In its second annual list, celebrating a cross-section of the men and women who are a part of the Chicago-area legal community, Crain’s Chicago Business honored Lewis for his leadership at Polsinelli, in the legal profession and in the city of Chicago. Lewis has been dedicated to community service throughout his professional career and sits on the board of several nonprofits.

Last year, Lewis was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Chicago Committee, which is a not for profit dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Rodney L. LewisShareholder

Polsinelli attorney Jason Plowman (KC) served as a panelist for the Diversity and Inclusion Forum at Washburn University School of Law, on November 1, 2018. The event, hosted by the school's Asian American Law Student Association, was designed to promote diversity awareness in the community and to encourage inclusion in the workplace.

Plowman, a member of the National LGBT Bar Association, serves clients in all facets of employment litigation. He was previously named as one of the Best LGBT Lawyers under 40 by the National LGBT Bar Association.

Jason Plowman Promotes Diversity and Inclusion at Washburn University School of Law

Jason N. W. PlowmanCounsel

Attorney Spotlights

Crain’s Chicago Business Honors Polsinelli Shareholder

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3


POLSINELLI.COM

Polsinelli Shareholder, Vice Chair of the firm’s national Intellectual Property Litigation practice and Diversity and Inclusion Committee member Michael Pegues (DAL) was honored with the 2018 Trailblazer of the Year Award from the Texas Minority Counsel Program (TMCP) during the organization’s October 18, 2018 Keynote Awards Luncheon.

Created in 1993 by the State Bar of Texas, TMCP is designed to increase opportunities for minority, women, and LGBTQ+ attorneys who provide legal services to corporate and government clients, and to expose those organizations to the legal talent of diverse attorneys in Texas. Pegues earned the Trailblazer of the Year Award because of his demonstrated promotion of diversity within the legal profession through hiring, retention and mentoring of minority, women, and LGBTQ+ attorneys, partnering with minority, women and LGBTQ+ owned law firms, and his involvement with Bar and community activities designed to promote diversity within the legal profession.

Michael Pegues receives Texas Minority Counsel Program’s 2018 Trailblazer of the Year Award

Michael D. PeguesShareholderPractice Vice Chair

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2

Shareholder Leane Capps (DAL) was honored as a recipient of the Dallas Business Journal’s Women in Business Award. Honorees were recognized as the top North Texas most influential business women. The awards luncheon, now in its eleventh year, was held August 23, 2018, at the Omni Dallas Hotel.

“Leane is regularly recognized by peers and colleagues as one of the brightest legal minds, is trusted by prominent companies for their most critical litigation and is a dedicated leader both within the profession and in the community,” said Jon Henderson, managing partner of Polsinelli’s Dallas office and chair of the firm’s national Corporate and Transactional Practice Group.

On September 25, 2018, Capps was also recognized as one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers” awardees by the National Diversity Council. Women chosen for this recognition are notable top leaders, strategic thinkers, experts, and good corporate citizens.

Mary Clare Bonaccorsi (CHI) was recently recognized by Profiles in Diversity Journal as a 2018 Woman Worth Watching. In her feature article she offers valuable advice to young women who are at the start of their careers. To read the article, please click here.

POLSINELLI.COM

Accolades and Awards

This section features diverse attorneys at the firm who have received recognition for their excellence in professional and community activities.

Shareholder and Practice Vice Chair Henry Talavera (DAL) was a finalist for Outstanding Latino Advocate for the D CEO Magazine’s Latino Business Awards.

Mary McKelvey (LAX) Principal, was installed as secretary to serve on the Executive Board of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles.

Mary Clare Bonaccorsi (CHI), Shareholder and Managing Partner, was honored as an extraordinary business leader by All Stars Project of Chicago.

Principal Tam Thanh Pham (SFO) assumed the role of interim San Francisco office liaison for the Women’s Initiative Committee.

Leane Capps Receives Honors in Texas

Mary Clare Bonaccorsi Honored - Worth Watching

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANDPRO BONO NEWSLETTER | 3


https://www.polsinelli.com/newsevents/bonaccorsi-named-2018-woman-worth-watching




Shareholder Jennifer Evans (DEN) was named Barrister’s Best “2018 Best Health Care Lawyer” by Law Week Colorado. Winners are chosen each year by Law Week’s editorial staff based on votes received for the People’s Choice award, as well as their own experience working with Colorado’s legal professionals.

Jennifer Evans is Barrister’s Best

Jennifer L. EvansOffice Managing Partner

When D Magazine published its article titled, ‘My Roots: Henry Talavera,’ it shared with others what Polsinelli already knew about Shareholder and Practice Vice Chair Henry Talavera (DAL), who serves as Chair of the Hispanic/Latino Resource Group, — that he treats everyone with a respectful and genuine kindness regardless of their status.

Talavera was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved with his family to the U.S. where he was raised by his mother and his step-father. He credits his decision to become a lawyer to his experiences growing up in a home where English was the second language.

Talavera remembers his family being treated poorly in business situations simply because they didn’t speak English. As a result, he knows not to make assumptions about someone’s ability and intelligence based on external appearances or accents.

D Magazine Highlights Shareholder Henry Talavera

Henry TalaveraShareholderPractice Vice Chair

2018 Summer Associate Jerica Steward Keeps Shining

Polsinelli's 2018 Summer class boasted some of the best and brightest law students from throughout the United States. Almost 41% of the summer class was diverse (i.e., of color and/or LGBTQ+). Polsinelli learned that Jerica Steward (DAL) continued to shine following successful completion of the Summer Program.

Steward, along with her competition partner, is the University of North Texas—Dallas College of Law’s 3rd Annual Thompson & Knight Intramural Moot Court Competition champion.

Additionally, Steward also won the Best Advocate award.

Polsinelli on the Mound City Bar Association’s Executive Committee

Polsinelli’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion J. Danielle Carr (STL), was elected to serve as the 2018-2019 President of the Mound City Bar Association (MCBA). MCBA is a nearly 100 year old African-American bar association that serves the St. Louis metropolitan community. Its membership is comprised of judges, general counsel, in house counsel, attorneys, legal professionals and law students.

Call for Content

Mosaic is published to highlight features and news relating to the firm's Diversity & Inclusion and the firm's Resource Groups (Women's Initiative Committee, African American Attorneys, Asian Pacific American Attorneys, Hispanic/Latino Attorneys and LGBTQ+ Attorneys).

If you have news to share, please send to J. Danielle Carr [email protected].

Jerica StewardSummer Associate


mailto:daniellecarr%40polsinelli.com?subject=


Investing in Diversity is an Intellectual Move

Polsinelli Shareholder Peter Thurlow (NY) is a patent lawyer and current President of the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA), the primary intellectual property law association in New York boasting more than 1,250 members.

During his presidential term, Thurlow helped raise $25,000 for the New York Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation's (NYIPLEF) diversity scholarships. NYIPLEF is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote intellectual property law education in the New York area.

On October 25, 2018, NYIPLEF held its first Annual Diversity Scholarship Event. Funds raised at the event are used to support providing merit-based scholarships to minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. The inaugural event raised over $28,000.

Peter G. ThurlowShareholderPractice Chair

Polsinelli Transactional Law Center Co-sponsors First “Women in Transactional Law” ForumThree years ago, several Polsinelli attorneys who are alumni of the University of Kansas School of Law established the Polsinelli Transactional Law Center to teach experiential classes at the Law School. Lisa Schultes (KC), Senior Partner, and Dan Cranshaw (KC), Shareholder and Chair of the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Committee, served as members of the Steering Committee, spearheading the formation and funding of the Center. Since being established, over 20 Polsinelli attorneys have taught classes through the Center at the Law School.

With the goal of having more women choose a transactional law practice, on October 25, 2018, the Polsinelli Transactional Law Center was pleased to co-sponsor the inaugural "Women in Transactional Law" Forum. The purpose was to educate women lawyers and women law students at the University of Kansas about a transactional law practice. Schultes was a discussion panelist at the event. The center is planning to sponsor a similar event at the law school for minority law students.

Celebrating Diversity

Polsinelli was pleased to join the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association of Greater Kansas City, Jackson County Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City (AABAKC), Association for Women Lawyers and, the Kansas City Lesbian, Gay and Allied Lawyers for the inaugural Unity Reception celebrating diversity and inclusion in Kansas City’s legal community.

The celebration was held August 13, 2018, and was attended by Polsinelli Shareholders Anthony Springfield (KC), Chair of Polsinelli’s African American Resource Group, and Gabe Zorogastua (KC).

Anthony L. SpringfieldShareholder

G. Gabriel ZorogastuaShareholder



Events and Sponsorship SpotlightSeptember 13, 2018Polsinelli sponsored the "Goldie Initiative Gala" in Chicago. The event provides funds to support unique programs designed to advance career opportunities for women seeking graduate degrees with a focus in commercial real estate.

September 21, 2018The firm is pleased to have sponsored the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California's 2018 Annual Gala. Polsinelli is a proud annual sponsor of this event and Principal Colby Springer (SFO) was the firm contact.

September 25, 2018Polsinelli's Women's Initiative Committee—St. Louis hosted a client event at “Time for Dinner.” Attorneys and clients participated in cooking sessions where they created entrées, side dishes and desserts that were packaged and taken home.

October 10-12, 2018 Polsinelli sponsored the California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP) Conference in San Francisco, California. CMCP promotes diversity in the legal profession by providing attorneys of color with access and opportunity for business and professional development. Nine Polsinelli representatives attended: J. Danielle Carr (STL), Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Cynthia Koluch (PHX), Office Marketing Lead and Regional Marketing Manager, Dan Cranshaw (KC) Shareholder, Barrington Dyer (SFO) Principal, Nitin Gambhir (SIL) Principal, Teri Nguyen (SIL) Principal, Liz Harding (DEN) Shareholder, were the firm Expo representatives at the event.

October 12, 2018Polsinelli was pleased to sponsor the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California's 20th Annual Scholarship Dinner in San Mateo, California. Principal Teri Nguyen (SIL) was instrumental in the firm's participation.

October 23, 2018Polsinelli’s Chicago office served as host of the Law School Admissions Road Show, which provided underrepresented undergraduates interested in pursuing legal careers a glimpse into the admissions process at the University of Chicago, Stanford, Cornell and Duke law schools.

Hispanic National Bar AssociationSeptember 5-8, 2018Polsinelli shareholders and associates attended the Hispanic National Bar Association’s (HNBA) 43rd Annual Convention.

Held in Philadelphia, the event attracted attorneys, judges, public officials, general counsel of many Fortune 100 companies and of other corporations, and law students from across the country, and Polsinelli was again a proud event sponsor.

Front (L-R) Joy Hoover (CHA), Karen Perzan (PHX), Maria Hubbard (PHX), Mona Peters (DC) Rear (L-R) Henry Talavera (DAL), Isabella Leavitt (PHX), Ryan Baebler (STL), Juan Rossi (DUN)

International Association of Korean LawyersSeptember 13 -16, 2018Polsinelli was a Bronze sponsor of the 2018 International Association of Korean Lawyers (IAKL) Annual Conference. The conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Polsinelli Supports Kansas City AppleseedPolsinelli sponsored the Kansas Appleseed Pro Bono Celebration Breakfast on October 30, 2018. The firm was proud to support Kansas Appleseed and their highly regarded Pro Bono work, as well as to support Polsinelli Attorney Teresa Anderson (KC), an Appleseed board member, in doing their part to provide valuable resources to underrepresented Kansans.

Teresa L. AndersonAttorney




October 24, 2018The firm was a proud sponsor of the 6th Annual Mound City Bar Association (MCBA) Legislative Summit held at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. Attendees included state legislators, members of the judiciary, local attorneys, public officials, directors, members of numerous civic organizations, and law students.

November 1, 2018Polsinelli was the ‘President Sponsor’ of the Hispanic Bar Association of St. Louis (HBASTL) La Cena De Amistad Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation held at The Bluffs on Broadway, St. Louis.

November 2, 2018Women in Science and Entrepreneurship (WISE) held its Statewide Conference at the St. Louis Union Station. Polsinelli was a Bronze sponsor of the event and Associate Hannah Ji (STL) was the firm contact.

November 12, 2018Polsinelli’s Women’s Initiative Committee—Chicago hosted a client event featuring a reception and screening of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary film, ‘Celebrating a Trailblazer.’ Shareholder and Managing Partner of the Chicago office, Mary Clare Bonaccorsi, spearheaded this event.

December 4, 2018Polsinelli hosted the Black Women Lawyer Association of Chicago’s 4th Professional Development Program on ‘How to get appointed to serve on a corporate board’. The event was held in the firm‘s Chicago office. Associate Shondella Peten (CHI) served as the firm host for the event.


Polsinelli Receives Spirit of Diversity AwardOctober 13, 2018 Polsinelli was a proud sponsor of the 21st Annual Jackson County Bar Association’s Judge Kit Carson Roque, Jr. Scholarship Dinner where the firm received the Pyramid of Diversity Award. The award recognizes law firms and corporate legal departments who have excelled in their efforts to enhance diversity for people of color in the Kansas City metropolitan area based on specific criteria. Chair of Polsinelli’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Shareholder Dan Cranshaw (KC), accepted the award on behalf of the firm.

Asian American Bar Association of Kansas CityOctober 26, 2018The Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City (AABAKC) hosted its 12th Annual Scholarship Dinner. With greater than 15 federal and state judges from Kansas and Missouri in attendance, the Polsinelli-sponsored event was a success. While addressing attendees, Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District Judge Alok Ahuja specifically recognized and thanked the firm for its support.

As he spoke to the crowded room, Associate Henry Thomas (KC) who serves as board member and the 2018-2019 President of AABAKC, graciously expressed his appreciation for Polsinelli's continued support of his civic and diverse involvement.

Play Like a Girl, and That’s to WinThe spring 2018 edition of Mosaic introduced Polsinelli to Chelsea "Smarty McFly" Pearson (STL), senior billing coordinator, and fierce women's roller derby competitor. Since the spring, Pearson—and her team the Arch Rival Roller Derby All Stars—has skated, jammed, blocked and slammed her way to the August 2018 playoffs in A Coruna, Spain and to a gold medal!

Part of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), Pearson competes in a league of 340 teams from around the globe. To compete in Spain for the gold, her team played some of league's strongest national and international teams.

"As women, sometimes we are afraid of taking up space and roller derby has minimized my fear of being offensive because of my success or my drive to find solutions," said Pearson.

Being a competitive skater in a contact sport empowers Pearson to approach challenges with a "push through it" attitude.


Dan E. CranshawShareholder




National Asian Pacific AmericanBar AssociationNovember 8-11, 2018The firm sponsored the 2018 National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention held in Chicago.

Now in its 30th year, this annual event convenes over 2,000 Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors and law students from around the nation. Polsinelli Associate Jason Mathew (CHI) was an attendee.

Women’s Initiative Committee - St. LouisNovember 17, 2018Polsinelli’s Women’s Initiative Committee (WIC) —St. Louis was pleased to again sponsor the annual ‘Girls on the Run’ celebratory 5k running event.

Lilian Davis (STL), labor and employment Associate and Girls on the Run board member, and Allison Krepel (STL) intellectual property Associate, spearheaded efforts to boost the girls’ spirits by providing tutus for them to create and wear. WIC members also volunteered to preassemble the tutu kits for the girls.

‘Girls on the Run’ is a transformational youth development program for girls in grades 3-8 where participants are taught life skills via interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates in a 5k run.

Special FeaturePolsinelli is in the Pipeline Around the Country

Polsinelli remains committed to the communities it serves and to the development of young talent. During the 2018 summer, four Polsinelli offices hosted student interns from The Development School for Youth (DSY).

DSY is an award-winning youth development program of the All Stars Project, Inc. The program focuses on what young people need in order to move away from chronic poverty, with the idea being that if you give underserved youth enriched out-of-school experiences, they will develop academically and socially and make gains toward closing the "development gap". One of the program's outstanding features is its accessibility for young people, regardless of grade point average.

Spencer Wood (CHI), Shareholder and Chair of the LGBTQ+ Resource Group, has been involved with DSY for over ten years.

In 2012, when Wood pitched the idea of Polsinelli's Chicago office partnering with DSY, then Managing Partner Tony Nasharr (CHI) was pleased to do so.

Today Mary Clare Bonaccorsi, the current managing partner of the Chicago office, works to continue Polsinelli's involvement. DSY has branches in four of the cities where Polsinelli has an office: Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago and now, through Bonaccorsi's work and commitment to the partnership, Polsinelli takes summer interns from each of those branches. On December 4, 2018, Bonaccorsi was honored by the All Stars Project of Chicago as an extraordinary business leader and for being a champion of the campaign to establish a Center for Afterschool Development in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Ever looking to enhance students' intellectual growth, Wood

encouraged the 2018 Polsinelli DSY interns to submit articles for Mosaic to help them build writing samples; here is what they had to share:

What was your experience in DSY like? Deysy C.(SF0) 2018 High School Graduate

DSY exposed me not only to the professional world but also to a different city. I learned how to navigate using different means of transportation. DSY taught me to have confidence in asking questions.

The DSY workshops taught us about the different positions in a business, the different puzzle pieces that make a business function properly. There are many jobs at any business and the more you're exposed to it through internships or programs like DSY, the more you build up your


Jason J. MatthewAssociate



knowledge and experience on the role each position has. Therefore, it prepares you for the real world and gives you the experience and confidence to work in a professional setting.

With the help of Kaela Hanrahan (SFO), office administrator, and Elaine Harris (SFO), marketing coordinator, and others in the San Francisco office, I have been exposed to many positions in the law firm and have learned so much.

How did you find out about DSY and why did you get involved with it? Shaheer Y. (CHI) 2018 High School Graduate

I live on the south side of Chicago. I respect where I come from, I grew up there most of my life. I first heard about the DSY program at a college fair at my school in the beginning of the year in January. I thought, ok I’ll give it a try. I got a call from Meghan Coen, Program Manager at DSY Chicago. She assigned me to a date to come down to the office for the interview. The interview went great. I was accepted.

When I arrived at DSY I didn’t expect to see what I saw. I didn’t expect to see kids from situations like mine or worse. I didn’t know the DSY program was based off low income schools and people. They target the youth from these areas to show us that there are many opportunities out there for us other than what we already know.

I joined DSY because I wanted to be ahead of the people that didn’t take opportunities like these. I wanted more for myself because I knew there was more in this world for me.

I thank DSY and Polsinelli for welcoming me and teaching me the ropes of the business world. I learned about what they do, how they do it, and what got them here.

How did you feel when you learned your internship would be at Polsinelli - a law firm? Cindy C.(NY) Junior, College

After completing all the DSY workshops and host trainings, I finally graduated from the program and learned that I was being placed as an intern at Polsinelli. I was prepared for an internship, but knowing I was going to receive an internship at a law firm, a feeling of terror followed the rush of excitement. Would my internship be similar to how law firms are portrayed on television? Would the attorneys take me seriously? My hands were clammy every time I thought about working with lawyers.

I began to research all I could about Polsinelli. What kind of law firm was this? What did they value? I learned that Polsinelli focuses on diversity and many of its attorneys are committed to giving back to the community through pro bono work. Since starting my internship, everyone has been very welcoming and willing to teach me. I expressed my passion for justice and the feeling that knowing the law and how to use it makes one a powerful person. As a result, attorneys have given me rewarding and interesting projects.

Growing up in a low-income family I didn’t believe getting far in life was a possibility for me but now I know differently.

What was your favorite experience? Anaya M.(CHI) Junior, High School

I’ve had many opportunities, but my favorite opportunity is being a part of Polsinelli and DSY. As of summer 2018, I was able to be a part of the Polsinelli law firm in Chicago, Illinois, working as an intern.

My Experience as an intern at Polsinelli. Cierra J.(DAL) 2018 High School Graduate

I am a recent graduate of a high school in West Dallas. During my first week at Polsinelli, I worked with the office services crew, Corey Lopez (DAL), regional office services manager, and Alfonso Taylor (DAL), office services clerk. I was able to see firsthand what they do on a daily basis, they are the go-to-guys in the company, and almost everyone has to go to them for something.

My second week included working with receptionist Kathie Lewis (DAL) at the office’s receptionist desk. I observed her duties and during my time as a receptionist I was able to enhance my typing skills, my professional etiquette when answering the phones, and my time management skills.

The last two weeks at my internship, I worked in hospitality with Deanna Brown (DAL), hospitality coordinator. I really enjoyed that I was able to take on a personal project. I liked it because I was able to enhance my organizational skills.

My experience this summer has been one that will forever have a big impact on my life, and in the future I’ll look back and remember this great opportunity and those who gave me the chance to go beyond West Dallas and do more with my life. Being able to work at Polsinelli has truly been a very different experience for me, there are so many great people that make you feel like you belong no matter who you are, it’s in the whole company and it makes it the kind of company that you want to be around for a long time; their partnership with the All Stars Project is just icing on the cake.



POLSINELLI.COM

Pro Bono Polsinelli’s LA Office Goes Prime Time

Los Angeles Office Managing Partner, Noel Cohen, along with Associate Ima Nsien (LAX), and Principals Mary McKelvey (LAX) and Dave Schultz (LAX) volunteered at the Prime Time after school program for at-risk youth, coaching students from Emerson Middle Schools in preparation for their mock trial program. The program culminated in a mock trial that was presided over by retired judge, the Honorable Patricia Collins.

The Polsinelli Team spent the afternoon working with students on their defense of the fictional case in preparation for the "Trial of the Century."

Polsinelli CelebratesPro Bono Weekand Impact Awardees

Polsinelli was proud to recognize our attorneys, paralegals, and staff representing individuals and organizations pro bono during Pro Bono Week 2018 (Oct. 21-27). In 2018, Polsinelli dedicated over 29,000 hours of pro bono work. More than 410 attorneys and 80 paralegals, representing our offices across the country, contributed pro bono services to those in our communities who could not afford legal representation. Through this service, we helped more than 700 individuals and organizations coast-to-coast.

Throughout Pro Bono Week, Polsinelli honored attorneys and paralegals that contributed over 20+ hours to pro bono with a Pro Bono Hours Recognition Award. Over 240 timekeepers contributed 20+ hours to pro bono work throughout this year supporting our communities. We also hosted a staff appreciation breakfast. Lastly, we promoted and thanked our Pro Bono partner organizations through our social media outlets.

A select group of 14 firm attorneys (pictured right) received special recognition for their extraordinary contributions to pro bono service and were awarded the Polsinelli Pro Bono Impact Award.


Mary T. McKelveyPrincipal

Cullin B. HughesShareholder

Catherine A. GreenAssociate

Elizabeth M. MardenAssociate

Samuel C. BarfootAssociate

Phillip ZeeckAssociate

Danila I. ToscanoAssociate

Bennett L. CohenOf Counsel

Ryan B. ThurberAssociate

Melissa S. HoShareholder

Jonathan G. BrinsonShareholder

Maria HubbardAssociate

Jennifer J. AxelShareholder

Allison N. KrepelAssociate

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AND PRO BONO NEWSLETTER | 10




Polsinelli Litigator Phillip Zeeck Honored with Pro Bono Publico Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service and Professional Character

Phillip Zeeck (KC), litigation Associate, was awarded the Missouri Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Publico Award, which honors Missouri lawyers for their exemplary professional commitment in pro bono service. The Pro Bono Publico Award is presented to four Missouri attorneys or organizations who have, within the past year, dedicated outstanding pro bono service to persons of limited means in need of legal assistance. Phillip won the award for his outstanding pro bono work representing Ecclesiastical Washington which resulted in a complete smoking ban for correctional facilities in Missouri.

Phillip ZeeckAssociate

Hague Convention Program Proves Successful

Polsinelli attorneys, Shareholder Jonathan Brinson (PHX) and Associate Isabella Leavitt (PHX), won a pro bono case, representing a father through the Hague Convention Attorney Network. This network of attorneys represents individuals seeking the return of their children through the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Treaty.

Our client, the father of two children, had properly filed for divorce in Mexico and as part of that proceeding requested a determination of child custody. In July 2017, after avoiding numerous attempts at service of process, the mother moved to Phoenix, Arizona, taking their two young children with her. Our client had not been able to see his children since that time.

After meeting with the client this fall, Leavitt filed a petition in federal court seeking return of the children to Mexico, gathered evidence, prepared witnesses, exhibits and conducted a day long bench trial. While several sticky issues arose, Leavitt successfully navigated them all. Thanks to her hard work, the Judge issued an order granting the Petition, allowing our client to

get resolution through the Mexican courts. Our client was ecstatic to have his children returned. Since the ruling, the client has updated Brinson and Leavitt to let them know his children are happy and doing well and that he will always be grateful for their hard work.

Reflecting on the experience these cases offer, Brinson notes “these cases provide invaluable training to our litigation associates. There are strict timing requirements and the litigation offers an associate the opportunity to work with the client, gather evidence, prepare witnesses, prepare exhibits, and conduct a bench trial within a couple of months.” Leavitt was also thrilled for the opportunity to obtain the first chair trial experience, which is invaluable and has become increasingly rare, while also assisting a father that had not seen his children in over a year.

Jonathan G. BrinsonShareholder

Isabella M. LeavittAssociate


Polsinelli Attorneys Named “Up and Coming”

Litigation Associates Cecelia Carroll (STL) and Britton St. Onge (STL) provided pro bono legal services for the Missouri Coalition for the Right to Counsel (MCRC), as part of a statewide public-private partnership between the public defender’s office and private law firms. Both attorneys were recognized for their pro bono efforts, being named as “Up and Coming” attorneys in 2018 by Missouri Lawyers Weekly.




Nancy Hawes Recognized with Incarnate World Leadership Award

The Incarnate World Leadership Award is presented by the Incarnate World Foundation and is given to individuals who have worked to provide the opportunity for children, youth, women and seniors to reach their full potential and live with dignity as full members of our community. Shareholder Nancy Hawes (STL) was recognized in 2018 for her Pro Bono legal work and deep commitment to the development of the St. Louis Community.

Nancy M. HawesShareholder


Polsinelli Supports the Common Good

The St. Louis office was proud to attend the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri 2018 Common Good Awards. The award was presented to eleven distinguished individuals who contributed throughout the year to providing the underserved with legal services, promoting their rights and providing equal access to justice.

Hard Work Pays Off

Shareholder Debbie Klis (DC) has represented Polsinelli pro bono client the African Women Council, Inc., a Maryland charity that assists immigrants to the U.S. from African countries and bridges investment from the West to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for over five years. On October 27, 2018, a “Sister State” was confirmed between the North Kivu province in the DRC and the State of Maryland. This amazing achievement reflects many years of hard committed work.

Debbie A. KlisShareholder

Danila Toscano Obtains Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for 18 Year-Old Victim

Associate Danila Toscano (LAX), is helping a juvenile pro bono client navigate the path to permanent residency in the United States in partnership with the renowned legal service organization KIND (Kids in Need of Defense).

Abby* is an 18 year-old female from El Salvador. Abandoned by her father at four, Abby moved in with her grandparents and aunt in El Salvador after her mother immigrated to the United States. After the police were unable to protect her family and Abby’s grandfather was kidnapped, brutally beaten, and nearly killed by members of the MS-13 gang for refusing to pay them,

she fled to the United States in search of safety and protection as an unaccompanied minor.

Since 2016 Toscano has been helping Abby obtain immigration benefits. As an unaccompanied minor, Abby potentially qualified for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and in the summer of 2017 the Court provided the requisite order. With the classification of Special Immigrant Juvenile, Abby can apply to become a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Abby hopes to begin college next year, with plans to eventually become a lawyer. Toscano’s hard work and dedication to this matter have certainly helped to point Abby in the right direction.

*Client’s name changed to protect privacy.

Danila I. ToscanoAssociate




Successful Representation for Holocaust Survivors

Polsinelli is pleased to have assisted two Holocaust survivors through the legal service organization Bet Tzedck and its Holocaust Survivors Justice Network.

One client, Lev, lived with his wife in a 250 square foot apartment. He sought legal assistance after he was wrongfully removed from the waitlist for a better Section 8 housing unit that he had been on for over a decade. Ilana Zelener (LAX), an associate in Polsinelli’s Los Angeles office, worked to get him back to the top of the waitlist only to have him rejected by the housing complex, claiming the client’s “criminal history” based on a check-the-box form made him ineligible. After learning our client had received a misdemeanor conviction for failing to appear at a 2013 hearing, Principal, Carmen Cole (LAX), and Zelener successfully appealed the ruling. Our client and his wife have now moved into their new larger unit, which has a balcony and communal garden. They are now in close walking distance to their Russian speaking community and support system (including doctors) and could not be more grateful.

The second Holocaust survivor client, Barbara, needed assistance dealing with a balance due from her deceased husband’s stay at a skilled nursing facility that the insurance company didn’t pay. The balance was a burden to the client and eventually caused her severe anxiety and stress. After numerous communications for almost a year Zelener was able to negotiate a zero balance statement from the facility for Barbara.

Polsinelli Chicago Celebrates Launch of the Family Justice Resource Center

On October 4, 2018, Polsinelli’s Chicago Office hosted the launch of the Family Justice Resource Center (FJRC) —a non-profit organization that seeks to help families under investigation by Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for abuse and neglect-based allegations that involve a medical issue. FJRC advocates for family-centered reforms to the child welfare system. It works to educate attorneys, healthcare providers and the public about the prevalence of medically-based wrongful allegations of abuse and the impact of being wrongly accused upon children and families. It also advocates for policies and practices that protect families from wrongful separation.

During a cocktail and entertainment hour, individuals had the opportunity to mingle and learn about the purpose and mission of this organization. Families shared personal stories about how they were impacted by false claims of abuse by DCFS and how they were assisted by Polsinelli Shareholder Elizabeth Bray (CHI), who is an FJRC Board of Directors member.

When citizens across the country voted in November 2018, Polsinelli attorneys engaged their legal skills to defend our constitutional right to vote. Working through the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under the Law (LCCRUL) Voting Rights Project, attorneys worked as poll volunteers, and manned phone hotlines fielding questions about voting registration and documentation requirements, polling locations, and a multitude of other issues.

LCCRUL is a non-partisan organization started in 1963 and its Election Protection Program is the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition in the country. Over 40 Polsinelli attorneys volunteered through the LCCRUL phone hotline, which provides legal support to citizens across all 50 states. In Denver, Associate Ryan Thurber (DEN), co-chaired the LCCRUL phone hotline in partnership with the Colorado Lawyer Committee. As chair of this hotline, Ryan was responsible for coordinating with attorneys across the Denver area to volunteer prior to and on Election Day to answer questions via the phone hotline.

Polsinelli attorneys also worked through local and state voter protection programs as election judges and challengers. The St. Louis office hosted election protection training in September with more than 70 local attorneys attending to be trained and act as volunteers on election day.

Polsinelli Attorneys Assist with Voter Protection Efforts During Mid-Term Elections

Elizabeth BrayShareholder


MOSAIC - sftp.polsinelli.com · POLSINELLI.COM Polsinelli Shareholder, Vice Chair of the firm’s national Intellectual Property Litigation practice and Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Documents