650 Page Mill Road Palo Alto, CA 94304 Phone: (212) 497-7774 http://www.wsgr.com locations Austin, TX Georgetown, DE Los Angeles, CA New York, NY Palo Alto, CA San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Washington, DC Beijing Brussels Hong Kong MAJOR DEPARTMENTS & PRACTICES Antitrust Business Litigation & Counseling Consumer Litigation Consumer Regulatory & Privacy Corporate Finance Copyright Corporate Law & Governance Employee Benefits & Compensation Employment Law Energy & Infrastructure Finance Energy Innovation & Clean Technology Entrepreneurial Services Export Controls & Economic Sanctions Fund Services Global Generics Global Outsourcing Transactions Greater China Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Counseling & Patents Intellectual Property Litigation Internal & Government Investigations Internet Strategy & Litigation Life Sciences Litigation Mergers & Acquisitions National Security Privacy & Data Security Private Equity Real Estate & Environmental Retail, Consumer & Advertising Securities Litigation Tax Technology Transactions Trade Secrets & Employee Mobility Trademarks & Advertising Venture Capital White Collar Crime THE STATS. of Attorneys: 650. of Offices: 14 Chairman: Larry Sonsini Hiring Partner(s): Jon Avina Michael Rubin Michael Russell EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Andrea Shaheen Law School Recruiting Manager Email: lawstudents@wsgr.com Careers website: http://www.wsgr.com/wsgr/display. aspx?sectionname=careers 683
Who s Who Does the firm have one or more pro bono coordinators and/or partners? If so, how many? 2 Please provide a general description of how much of their time each of your pro bono coordinators and/or partners spends on pro bono work and/or administering the firm s pro bono program (e.g., less than half of their time, more than half of their time, all of their time). Less than half of their time. Please provide the primary pro bono contact(s) s information below. Mark G. Parnes Assistant General Counsel Email: probono@wsgr.com Candida Malferrari Senior Paralegal Email: probono@wsgr.com Does the firm have a pro bono committee? How often does the committee meet? Quarterly Please describe the composition of the committee. Chaired by David J. Berger, a litigation partner, and coordinated by Mark G. Parnes, current Assistant General Counsel and former litigation partner at, the committee is composed of partners, associates, and legal staff. THE SCOOP Does your firm have a pro bono policy? Can associates bring pro bono matters of interest to the firm? How does the firm decide whether to take on a pro bono matter? The Pro Bono Committee determines whether a matter qualifies for pro bono treatment under the firm s Pro Bono Policy and the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge of the American Bar Association. Has the firm signed on to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge? What are some of the areas of law in which your firm has performed pro bono legal work since 2012? Asylum, Civil rights, Community economic development, Consumer law and small claims court, Disability benefits, Domestic violence, Education, Elder law, Employment, Environment, Fair housing/tenants rights, Family law, First Amendment and constitutional issues, HIV/AIDS advocacy, Homeless advocacy, Immigration, International human rights, Litigation matters assigned by the court, nprofit corporate law, nprofit incorporation/tax exemptions, nprofit intellectual property, Parole hearings, Prisoners rights, Probate law, Public benefits, Real estate transactions, Social Security law, The arts and historic preservation, Veterans benefits/ appeals, Voting rights Are there areas of law in which, as a matter of policy or practice, your firm does not perform pro bono work? Bankruptcy, Death penalty defense, Juvenile justice reform/ children s rights, Police misconduct, Probate law List up to 10 of your firm s pro bono clients or partners since 2012, including legal service providers or clearinghouses. The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (SF Bay Area) The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York American Civil Liberties Union Fund of Michigan Bay Area Legal Aid Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto Criminal Justice Act Panel (San Francisco and San Jose) Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia Algae Biomass Organization rthwest Immigrant Rights Project Equal Justice Society List up to three representative examples of your firm s pro bono matters since 2012. Please limit your answer to a short paragraph per matter. IMMIGRATION. The firm partners with various nonprofit firms to assist clients to: 1) file and obtain asylum; 2) file and obtain visas under the Violence Against Women Act; 3) file and obtain U-visas; and 4) file and obtain visa under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), thereby allowing them to remain in the United States and to eventually apply for lawful permanent residence. In 2013, the firm assisted in obtaining asylum for a Salvadoran woman persecuted by gangs, asylum for a decorated police officer from Peru, asylum for a Russian woman persecuted for racial reasons, asylum for a Salvadoran woman who was a victim of domestic abuse, a U-visa for a Mexican woman who suffered domestic abuse, a U-visa for a Mongolian man who was a 684 2014 Vault.com Inc.
victim of several armed robberies, asylum for a Nepalese woman and a Nepalese man who were both persecuted by Maoist guerillas, and deferred action under DACA for a Mexican woman, among others. CORPORATE. The firm provided pro bono legal representation to nonprofit organizations in their respective mergers. The firm was legal counsel to pro bono client International Museum of Women in its merger with the Global Fund for Women in an effort to more effectively promote women s rights worldwide. In addition, the firm assisted in the merger of East Meets West and Blue Planet Network with the goal of accelerating innovation and to deliver improved clean-water and sanitation solutions to more people around the globe. Lastly, the firm provided assistance to the Santa Clara County Boy Scout Council in its merger with the Monterey Bay Area Council. COPYRIGHT LITIGATION. The firm secured a victory in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit when the appellate court affirmed the district court s dismissal of a copyright infringement case filed by a well-known copyright troll. The district court ruled that plaintiff lacked standing to sue. The Ninth Circuit agreed that plaintiff lacked standing and affirmed the district court s dismissal of the case. In another case, the firm obtained a voluntary dismissal with prejudice of a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by a pornographic film company against a pro bono client of the firm. In this case, the firm s pro bono attorneys representing Jane Doe 106 convinced the magistrate judge to issue a report and recommendation to sever the claims against the Doe defendants, potentially frustrating the plaintiff s scheme and compelling the plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss Jane Doe 106 from the action with prejudice before the magistrate judge s report and recommendation could be adopted by the district court. List up to three pro bono matters that are highlights (e.g., a Supreme Court case). Please limit your answer to a short paragraph per matter. HISTORIC SETTLEMENT. A historic settlement was reached in a class action lawsuit between immigration authorities and immigrants who are held in custody during their civil immigration proceedings in San Francisco. The settlement ends the federal government s practice of forcing detained immigrants to go through their civil immigration hearings in handcuffs, leg irons, and chains. WSGR, the American Civil Liberties Union of rthern California, and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area filed the case in 2011 against the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review on behalf of adult immigration detainees. The detainees, prior to the litigation, had been unnecessarily and painfully shackled at the waist, wrists, and ankles in every hearing before the immigration court, regardless of individual circumstances. Under the settlement agreement, individuals appearing for bond or merits hearings will no longer be shackled, absent an emergency situation. Only those appearing for mass hearings, known as master calendar hearings, on the court s detained docket will have to wear restraints. Even in these hearings, individuals will be given the opportunity to request that their restraints be removed or at least reduced if they are suffering from a physical, psychological, or medical condition that would prevent the application of restraints in a safe and humane manner. The settlement applies to all current and future adult immigration detainees who have or will have proceedings in San Francisco s immigration court, which serves over 2,000 immigration detainees a year. The case is also a model for litigation and policy across the United States that sets a new standard for government treatment of individuals held in custody pending their immigration cases. HISTORIC SETTLEMENT. Another historic settlement was reached in the class action lawsuit, Jimmo v. Sebelius, brought on behalf of a nationwide class of Medicare beneficiaries by six individual beneficiaries and seven national organizations representing people with chronic conditions. The settlement is to prevent any future utilization of the improvement standard, and its impact is described by observers such as the editorial board of The New York Times as making it easier for tens of thousands of disabled and chronically ill people to qualify for Medicare coverage. It is clearly the humane thing to do for desperately sick people with little hope of recovery. WSGR s involvement in the Jimmo case did not end with the settlement. Though the parties agreed that plaintiffs counsel was entitled to reimbursement of fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act, there was substantial disagreement as to what the proper level of reimbursement should be. While the firm s co-counsel focused on (and continues to focus on) implementation of the substantive terms of the settlement, the firm took the lead on negotiations with the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding plaintiffs fees. After several months of back-and-forth negotiations, the firm ultimately obtained an agreement by the DOJ to reimburse plaintiffs $350,000 for their work leading up to the approval of the settlement. Upon the conclusion of the negotiations, the firm also waived its portion of those fees in order to maximize the amounts received by the Center of Medicare Advocacy and Vermont Legal Aid. HISTORIC SETTLEMENT. A settlement agreement was reached with the Dinuba Unified School District, in California s Central Valley, to ensure that young English language learners have an equal chance to succeed. The agreement resulted from a lawsuit filed in May 2012 with WSGR providing pro bono representation to the plaintiffs in the matter, along with the ACLU of Southern California, the ACLU of rthern California, the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, California Rural Legal Assistance, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. The lawsuit asked the school district to cease its use of a program called Second Language Acquisition Development Instruction (SLADI) to teach reading to first- and second-grade English learners, alleging that SLADI was fundamentally flawed and unproven method of teaching English. Under the settlement agreement, the district will stop using SLADI and implement a new program for young English learners. The district also will create two programs an after-school program and an additional summer school program, both of which will Visit www.vault.com for company rankings, ratings and reviews to learn what it s really like to work in an industry or company and how to position yourself to land that job. 685
be available at no cost to the families of students who were denied ready instruction under SLADI. BY THE NUMBERS What is the total number of hours that lawyers at your U.S. office(s) spent performing pro bono legal services, as defined by the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, in 2012 and 2013? Do not include summer associate or non-lawyer pro bono hours in your answers. Total number of pro bono hours in 2012: 34,071 Total number of pro bono hours in 2013: 29,720 What was the attorney headcount in your firm s U.S. offices? Number of attorneys as of December 31, 2012: 650 Number of attorneys as of December 31, 2013: 642 Using the number of attorneys listed above, what is the average number of pro bono hours per attorney in your firm s U.S. office(s) during the following years? Average number of hours per attorney in 2012: 53 Average number of hours per attorney in 2013: 46 What percentage of attorneys employed during 2012 and 2013 in your firm s U.S. office(s) did at least 20 hours of pro bono during that calendar year? Percentage of attorneys who did pro bono work in 2012: 31 40% Percentage of attorneys who did pro bono work in 2013: 31 40% SUPERVISION AND EVALUATIONS Is there partner supervision on all pro bono matters? Do partner supervisors or, if applicable, senior associates provide written evaluations of associates work on pro bono matters? Are those evaluations taken into account in determining salary or bonuses?, they are taken into account when determining bonuses. Are those evaluations taken into account in determining advancement within the firm? Is there a pro bono requirement at your firm? Does the firm give billable hour credit for pro bono work? Does the firm have a maximum number of pro bono hours that can be applied toward the billable hour target? Does the firm consider pro bono hours when determining bonuses? PRO BONO POINTS What training opportunities are open to associates working on pro bono matters? Training is provided to associates in matters involving asylum, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Does the firm offer the use of support staff in handling pro bono matters? Please indicate how many total hours and average hours per person your summer associates spent performing pro bono in 2012 and 2013. Total hours summer associates spent on pro bono work 2012: 1,074 2013: 648 Average hours per summer associate spent on pro bono work 2012: 17 2013: 15 Percentage of summer associates in your firm s U.S. office(s) engaged in pro bono work 2012: 59% 2013: 51% Please provide any additional information about pro bono opportunities available to summer associates. All pro bono matters are made available to summer associates. Does the firm have established programs, such as externships, that enable its associates to work in a public interest setting? 686 2014 Vault.com Inc.
What other law-related public interest and community service programs (that are not pro bono as defined by the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge) do you offer and manage? For example, list any law school collaborations and public interest scholarships, auctions at law schools, monetary support, or fellowships. The WSGR Foundation provides a vehicle for the firm s members to make financial contributions to the community. Since 1990, the foundation has donated over $12.5 million to nonprofit legal service organizations that provide direct legal aid to low-income people, provided funding for a variety of pro bono clients, and given support to a number of community organizations. Since 2008, the foundation has supported the California State Bar Foundation s Diversity Scholarship Program, which assists incoming first-year law students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession who have committed to attend a California law school, have a financial need, and have a desire to make an impact in the community. What non-law related volunteer opportunities does your firm offer? For example, list any work with high school students and non-legal volunteerism for organizations like Habitat for Humanity. WSGR s community outreach program is another way our employees make a significant contribution to society. The firm, through its Community Service Committee, organizes numerous events throughout the year, helping to identify and support a variety of interesting and meaningful opportunities. Projects have included nationwide restoration and habitat restoration with Austin Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together New York, Rebuilding Together Palo Alto, Save The Bay, Rebuilding Together Seattle, Discovery Park cleanup, Rebuilding Together Alexandria; food and fundraising drives and food sorts to benefit Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, Meals on Wheels, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, SF-Marin Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank (Washington, DC); back-to-school drives; support our troops supplies drives; holiday drives and adopt-a-family drives in partnership with a number of nonprofits; activities to raise awareness and funds for health-related causes; and, other activities for pets in need. Please list any special recognition or awards your firm has won since 2012 for its pro bono work. 2013 Educational Equity Award (ACLU Foundation of Southern California) to a WSGR pro bono team in recognition of litigation efforts to ensure that California state officials do not neglect their obligation to English learners who should receive an adequate and equal education 2013 Outstanding Business Tall Tree Award (Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce) for the firm s extensive pro bono legal representation, its provision of financial support through the WSGR Foundation, and its employees community service efforts 2013 Jack W. Londen Award (Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (SF Bay Area)) to a WSGR pro bono team in recognition of exemplary litigation efforts that protect and advance the civil rights of marginalized communities 2012 Robert G. Sproul, Jr. Award (Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (SF Bay Area)) to Mark G. Parnes for his demonstrated commitment to providing pro bono services and advocating within the private bar for continued pro bono representation of disadvantaged communities 2012 Law Firm Pro Bono Leadership 2011: Sustained Partner of the Year award from Bay Area Legal Aid for the firm s pro bono work in connection with domestic violence matters 2012 Corporation Partner Award from InnVision Shelter Network for the firm s pro bono work 2012 Partner in Justice Award from The Center for Justice & Accountability for the firm s demonstrated commitment to human rights Please add any additional information about your firm s pro bono program. Staffing of Pro Bono Cases: All of the firm s human resources are available to staff pro bono cases, including partners, associates, paralegals, executive assistants, practice group assistants, scientific or government relations advisors, patent agents, and reference librarians. General Volunteering Opportunities: The firm s Community Affairs Manager, along with the firm s Community Service Committee (comprising of representatives from all firm offices), organizes various volunteer opportunities. Visit www.vault.com for company rankings, ratings and reviews to learn what it s really like to work in an industry or company and how to position yourself to land that job. 687