DLA Piper Pro Bono | Initiatives | Focusing on Children

Focusing on Children

We are committed to working with at-risk students. Some examples of our work include:

John Barry Elementary School – The firm leads many tutoring and mentoring activities at this Chicago school. In Family Reading Night, an event to promote reading to the children and their parents, volunteers read stories, a professional storyteller entertains, and each child gets a book to take home. We also host career night for the students and families. Volunteers also teach constitutional law to fifth graders (through the Voices program sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago) with lessons focusing on the Bill of Rights and the court system. Students stage a mock criminal trial.

Staff members and attorneys in DLA Piper's Chicago office participated in Career Day at John Barry Elementary School following a month-long Career Mentor program. In conjunction with firm client, Accenture, DLA Piper "adopted" the elementary school by assisting with a number of programs and events, including the Career Mentor and Career Day Programs, a Reading Night and the Lawyers in the Classroom lessons sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago.
Law Student for a Day Event - In 2008, 15 middle school students from Mark T. Skinner Middle School took part in "Law Student for a Day" at the University of Chicago Law School. The event was organized by Boys Speak Out, Inc. and the Black Law Students Association at the University of Chicago, and sponsored by DLA Piper's Chicago office. "The purpose of Law Student for a Day is to expose participants to the law school environment and make them aware of the plethora of options available to them if they work hard, dedicate themselves and surround themselves with positive people," explains Boys Speak Out, Inc. Founder and a DLA Piper associate. "Maybe the kids desire to attend law school or maybe they would like to work at a law school one day; either way, they are at least a little closer to being able to visualize their goals." The participants had the opportunity to tour the law school (including stops by the library, the career services office and the courtroom), to hear a presentation, and to work in small groups with discussion leaders who represented different areas of the law school from students to staff. One participant proclaimed that it was by far the best field trip he had ever been on and that he didn't realize that there are schools that teach you how to become a lawyer.
DLA Piper4students - Baltimore lawyers and staff mentor high school students monthly to encourage them to stay in school, graduate, and reach their personal post-graduation goals. This four-year commitment, facilitated by The b4students Foundation, begins during the student’s freshman year. This program builds on the firm’s long-established Law Club, which provides age-appropriate monthly lessons about the legal system to elementary school students from Baltimore’s inner city.
The Future of the Law Institute – Seattle attorneys introduce law as a career option to minority and economically disadvantaged high school students.
The Justice Resource Center Mentor Moot Court Competition – Volunteers give high school students in New York an opportunity to review case law, prepare arguments, and present cases in a simulated court.
Law Explorers – Attorneys in Washington, DC have led this program, exposing high school juniors and seniors to the practice of law and to current legal issues, for almost 15 years.
National Youth Forum Law Week – Volunteers introduce high school students from across the country to the practice of law in a large global firm during their leadership trips to Washington, DC.
Lawyers in the Classroom – Chicago elementary school students learn about the power of education and our attorneys and staff teach, mentor, tutor, and assist students and teachers.
Mentoring At-Risk Students – Attorneys and staff mentor and tutor students at Bruce Monroe Elementary School in Washington, DC, at risk of dropping out of school due to behavior problems, poor attendance, academic delay, or other factors. The office has also raised funds to support the school, conducted school supplies drives at the start of the school year, and donated books to its library.
Kids in Court – Los Angeles students learn about the important role of the court system in promoting freedom, liberty, justice, and equality in our society through this outreach program created by our attorneys.
College Bound Foundation – Attorneys conduct workshops for counselors and administrators employed by the College Bound Foundation, which works closely with Baltimore high school students to help them tour colleges, gain admission, and develop skills necessary for success.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) – Attorneys and staff in many office stand up for abused and neglected children in court to help them obtain safe, permanent homes where they can thrive.
Keeping the Promise to At-Risk Youth – The firm sponsors a national conference with Casey Family Programs and Children Uniting Nations in Washington, DC to improve educational opportunities for foster children and at-risk kids through mentoring and other educational services.
Mock Oral Argument Program – Attorneys coach a high school student team participating in this program sponsored by the DC Circuit Historical Society.
Do The Write Thing – Do the Write Thing is an annual essay contest directed at 7th and 8th graders in the Chicago Public Schools, sponsored by the National Campaign to Stop Violence. Attorneys and staff from all domestic offices judge over 5,000 essays about the question, “What can I do about the violence in my life?” In partnership with The Associated Colleges of Illinois, the firm expanded the opportunity for Illinois’ ten top finalists by also awarding them entry into a scholarship program that includes a combination of high school tutoring and mentoring, college readiness (including on‑campus living, study experiences, and developing information about college selection, admissions, financial assistance, test preparation, career interest/skill assessment and personal contacts through visits and college fairs), and college scholarship support.
Boys & Girls Clubs - The Silicon Valley office has devoted thousands of tutoring hours to its local Boys & Girls Clubs. In addition, firm attorneys serve as mentors in the club's Smart Girls Program, designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.
Philadelphia Reads - Attorneys and paralegals from the Philadelphia office dedicate time bi-weekly to tutor elementary school children on reading skills.
Battle on Broad Street - Basketball players from the Philadelphia office participated in this hoops tournament to raise $80,000 for Junior Achievement of Delaware Valley.
Legal Outreach - Attorneys from the New York office participate in this organization's program, tutoring high school students interested in pursuing legal careers. The curriculum includes constitutional law debates, through which student-mentor relationships are formed. Once paired, students and their mentors typically work together from sophomore through senior year.