Jenner & Block is proud of its 2019 pro bono results:
October 1, 2014
Moments in History: Jenner & Block's 100-Year Story
Firm Successfully Argues on Behalf of State's Mandatory Seat-Belt Law
Recognizing “Pro Bono Month,” we note Jerry Solovy’s pro bono work in People v. Kohrig. Appointed as a special assistant attorney general, he argued that the state’s then-15-month-old mandatory seat-belt law should be upheld. Read more...
TAGS: J Solovy, Moments in History
September 30, 2014
Moments in History: Jenner & Block's 100-Year Story
Watch Some of Firm's New York Lawyers Discuss the Victory for Class of Tenants in Pro Bono Housing Matter
Capping a five-year legal battle, the Second Circuit on this day in 2013 affirmed a district court’s approval of a landmark settlement agreement between a class of 22,000 tenants and Pinnacle Group, one of New York City’s largest residential landlords that owned scores of rent-controlled apartments. Read more ...
TAGS: Class Action, Moments in History
PEOPLE: Katya Jestin
January 24, 2014
Moments in History: Jenner & Block's 100-Year Story
Pro Bono Case Was First in Illinois Granting Post-Convicting Ballistics Testing
On January 26, 2011, a team including Robert Stauffer, Andrew Vail and Kyle Palazzolo achieved a groundbreaking result in a pro bono post-conviction case on behalf of client Patrick Pursley. Read more...
TAGS: Matters of Note, Moments in History, Patrick Pursley
PEOPLE: Andrew W. Vail, Robert R. Stauffer, Kyle A. Palazzolo
January 10, 2014
Moments in History: Jenner & Block's 100-Year Story
Firm's Role In Capital Punishment
The firm played a significant role in the state of Illinois’ journey toward abolishing capital punishment. On this week in 2003, then-Governor George Ryan issued clemency to approximately 160 inmates on the state’s Death Row, commuting their sentences to life in prison without parole. Read more...
TAGS: Death Penalty, Moments in History, T Sullivan
August 1, 2012
A History of Pro Bono and Public Service: 2000s
Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger
Jenner & Block took an active role in the national debate in two landmark cases that involved the University of Michigan’s affirmative action admission policies. The Court relied on an amicus brief filed by a Jenner & Block team led by Partner David W. DeBruin on behalf of 65 major companies in upholding the admissions program at the University of Michigan Law School.
TAGS: A History of Pro Bono and Public Service, D DeBruin
July 15, 2012
A History of Pro Bono and Public Service: 2000s
Lawrence v. Texas

Jenner & Block served as co-lead counsel with Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund in a civil rights decision that overturned a Texas anti-sodomy law. Partner Paul Smith argued the case before the US Supreme Court. The Court’s decision was widely considered to be the most important gay rights decision in a generation.
TAGS: A History of Pro Bono and Public Service, P Smith, US Supreme Court