Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP views pro bono work as a central responsibility of the firm and our lawyers. We have a long and distinguished history of providing pro bono legal services to those who cannot otherwise obtain legal representation and we expect our lawyers to work on pro bono matters throughout their careers at the firm.

Davis Polk makes every effort to provide a wide variety of pro bono opportunities so that our lawyers can pursue the kind of pro bono commitment they find most meaningful. The firm supports pro bono work through partner mentoring, training sessions, and devotion of resources. In addition to fulfilling our desire and obligation to aid those in need, pro bono work serves as a vehicle for early client responsibility and training. Pro bono work is considered to be of equal stature to billable matters and our lawyers offer the same caliber of service to our pro bono clients as we do to our paying clients.

The firm also encourages lawyers to participate in other civic activities, including mentoring programs, bar associations and service on the boards of directors of legal, charitable and civic organizations.

Recent Highlights

Davis Polk is Awarded New York State Bar Association President's Pro Bono Service Award

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In May 2011, the New York State Bar Association presented Davis Polk with its highest pro bono honor, the President’s Pro Bono Service Award.

The award recognizes our commitment to providing free legal services to those in need and honors the dedication, hard work and counsel of Davis Polk’s lawyers.

In the last three years, the firm performed nearly 200,000 hours of pro bono work.
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Counsel to New York State Justice Task Force

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Davis Polk serves as counsel to the New York State Justice Task Force, a permanent task force created by New York State Chief Judge Lippman, that includes representatives from all participants in the criminal justice system: judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, police chiefs, legislators, executive branch officials, forensic experts, victims’ advocates, and legal scholars.

The Task Force’s mission is to examine the causes of wrongful convictions and recommend reforms to prevent them in the future.
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Davis Polk Succeeds in Vacating Conviction and Securing New Trial for Inmate on Death Row

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In the spring of 2010, a unanimous panel of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals vacated the capital murder conviction against Davis Polk’s pro bono client on death row in Tennessee and ordered a new trial.

This is only the fourth time since 1977 that a Tennessee court has vacated a conviction and ordered a new trial in a capital murder case based on ineffective assistance of counsel.

We are currently assisting the client prepare for the new trial.
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Mortgage Modification Fraud Prevention

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Davis Polk has brought three suits on behalf of 44 individuals who were defrauded by two companies that falsely promised to assist low- and middle-income homeowners in modifying the terms of their mortgage to ease the burden of their monthly payment, but instead absconded with their illegally collected upfront fees.

In the summer of 2011, both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Daily News ran feature articles on these cases.
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Partnership with Citigroup

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In February 2011, we began collaborating with Citigroup and the City Bar Justice Center in the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project, a clinic program to provide free legal advice to low-income micro-entrepreneurs.
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Nearly $1.8 Million Civil Verdict Secured for Wrongfully Convicted Man

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Davis Polk represented a man in the appeal of his wrongful conviction of murder.

Following a successful retrial, our client was released after spending five and a half years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

We secured an award of nearly $1.8 million for our client’s lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of liberty and emotional distress.

This was the third-highest amount ever awarded for wrongful conviction in New York State.
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Workers' Rights Cases Including a $4.6 Million Judgment for Restaurant Delivery Workers

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In the last three years, Davis Polk has worked on ten workers’ rights cases, seven of which were on behalf of restaurant workers, one on behalf of fruit stand cashiers, one on behalf of garment workers, and one on behalf of a domestic employee.

We have received favorable results for all our clients in the cases that have been completed.

In 2008, Davis Polk, in conjunction with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, won a judgment in excess of $4.6 million on behalf of 36 current and former employees of Saigon Grill, a popular Vietnamese restaurant for failure to pay minimum wage and overtime.
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SeaChange Capital Partners

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Davis Polk assisted SeaChange Capital Partners, Inc, a nonprofit established by two former Goldman Sachs partners that receives backing from Goldman Sachs, with the establishment of its New York Mergers, Acquisitions & Collaboration Fund, a new initiative to encourage and enable mergers, acquisitions and other types of formal, long-term collaborations between nonprofit organizations working in New York City.

The Davis Polk team included members from the M&A and Tax groups.

On an ongoing basis, Davis Polk advises SeaChange on general corporate governance matters and attends its quarterly board meetings.
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Recent Highlights

Davis Polk is Awarded New York State Bar Association President's Pro Bono Service Award

Counsel to New York State Justice Task Force

Davis Polk Succeeds in Vacating Conviction and Securing New Trial for Inmate on Death Row

Mortgage Modification Fraud Prevention

Partnership with Citigroup

Nearly $1.8 Million Civil Verdict Secured for Wrongfully Convicted Man

Workers' Rights Cases Including a $4.6 Million Judgment for Restaurant Delivery Workers

SeaChange Capital Partners