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 could not 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 excellence to our pro bono clients as we do to our paying clients.

The firm also encourages lawyers to participate in other civic activities, including mentor 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.
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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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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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Loan Scam Litigation

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On behalf of low- and middle-income homeowners, Davis Polk is suing mortgage scammers who promise to help victims avoid foreclosure, but defraud them of their money instead. In March 2011, Davis Polk and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed suit against one of New York's most prolific mortgage scammers, marking the first time that a major law firm has targeted a for-profit loan modification company. The suit, which has been covered by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Daily News, is now proceeding to trial in Nassau County State Supreme Court.
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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. In late 2009, 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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Corporate Work for Grameen America

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A team from Davis Polk is advising Grameen America, a non-profit microfinance organization based in New York City, on a variety of banking, credit, general corporate and employment matters. The mission of Grameen is to alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship by providing loans, saving programs, credit establishment and other financial services through a group lending and savings model.
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Recent Highlights

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

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

Counsel to New York State Justice Task Force

Loan Scam Litigation

Nearly $1.8 Million Civil Verdict Secured for Wrongfully Convicted Man

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

Corporate Work for Grameen America