Alan Pemberton of Covington & Burling.

Describe your firm's philosophy on pro bono service. 

Covington regards pro bono service as a professional obligation of each firm lawyer—with the privilege we all have as lawyers, comes a responsibility to give back. Covington seeks input from each individual lawyer about pro bono work that would best serve the public good. Our pro bono program is therefore voluntary, diverse and driven by our lawyers' interests, though anchored in increasing access to justice for economically disadvantaged individuals.

What are the two biggest cases your firm worked on in 2019? Tell us more about those cases and how you reached the outcome.

After an eight-day bench trial, a diverse Covington team secured a nationwide injunction prohibiting the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. The Commerce Secretary's decision threatened a disproportionate undercount of certain demographic groups, leading to unequal legislative representation and unfair reductions in federal funding. Coordinating with parallel New York and California litigation, we played a key role in reversing the secretary's ill-conceived and unlawful action and protecting the integrity of the census.

We were also thrilled to represent a class of veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, in a case in which, for the first time in its history, the court certified a class action and granted classwide relief to our clients, veterans experiencing inexcusable delays by the VA in processing appeals of benefit denials. Covington brought this historic action, Godsey v. Wilkie, with the National Veterans Legal Services Program.

What was the most satisfying aspect of that work? 

The census case had momentous national significance on several levels: fair apportionment and democratic institutions, protecting the Census Bureau against partisan interference and preserving the rule of law. Accomplishing our team's mission was deeply rewarding.

Achieving a historic class certification on behalf of veterans ensured that the benefit claims of the over 2,000 class members did not forever remain in procedural limbo. The decision is favorable precedent for future class claims.

What other pro bono matters is the firm working on? 

A significant portion of Covington's pro bono work centers around providing counsel to those unable to afford representation. In 2019, Covington celebrated the 50th anniversary of our first-of-its-kind civil legal aid rotation program, through which the firm has loaned over 300 associates to work for six-month stints at local legal aid organizations providing housing and family court representation. In 2019, our criminal justice practice helped over 100 individuals in criminal cases and related civil rights cases. Our criminal justice docket also included dozens of impact matters, including the successful settlement of a decades-long challenge to juvenile justice practices in D.C.

Why does pro bono work matter to you as a lawyer? 

In our country, there is a large "justice gap," with many people needing legal help, but unable to afford counsel. Law firms can help close this gap, particularly in cases requiring substantial expertise and resources. It is a privilege to work in a firm that understands the importance of this responsibility.

Responses submitted by Alan Pemberton, co-chair of the public service committee at Covington & Burling.