Crowell & Moring
Being vindicated that not only is the government prohibited under our Constitution from discriminating, but also from purchasing the silence of victims of police abuse.
May 04, 2020 at 02:06 PM
3 minute read
Describe your firm's philosophy on pro bono service.
Doing well while doing good! We challenge ourselves to live up to this phrase; to create a firm focused on forming strong, long-lasting relationships and working hard to improve the communities around us. Our attorneys contribute more than 40,000 hours in pro bono legal services annually, striving for a balance of impact cases and individual representation. The firm's dedication to providing equal access to justice for all is woven into the fabric of its culture.
What are the two biggest cases your firm worked on in 2019? Tell us more about those cases and how you reached the outcome.
Crowell and [the American Civil Liberties Union] prevailed in a groundbreaking victory for victims of police misconduct in a First Amendment decision that could have national repercussions. The [U.S. Court of Appeals for the] Fourth Circuit ruled in Overbey v. Mayor of Baltimore that Baltimore's practice of prohibiting plaintiffs who settled police misconduct cases from publicly discussing their experiences violates the First Amendment. The court held that these non-disparagement clauses, or "gag orders," are the equivalent of "hush money," and are unconstitutional and therefore, unenforceable.
Crowell represented the Alabama NAACP in litigation seeking to prove that at-large judicial elections in Alabama violate Section 2 of the [Voting Rights Act] by diluting the voting power of African American citizens. In February 2020, the [U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit] ruled that private plaintiffs may continue to bring suits against states under the VRA, joining the Fifth and Sixth circuits in holding that individuals and organizations can sue states in federal court when they racially discriminate against voters.
What was the most satisfying aspect of that work?
Being vindicated that not only is the government prohibited under our Constitution from discriminating, but also from purchasing the silence of victims of police abuse.
Each day on our way to court we passed landmarks of the Civil Rights movement, including the Freedom Rides Museum, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s church and the site of Rosa Parks' arrest, understanding that we carried on the proud legacy of fighting for equal voting rights in Alabama.
What other pro bono matters is the firm working on?
The firm and [the Catholic Legal Immigration Network] have filed suit against the federal government on behalf of 13 families in SAP v. Barr, alleging that recent policy changes to the definition of "particular social groups" are designed to make it more difficult to win asylum in the United States.
Featured on CBS's "48 Hours," Crowell represents Crosley Green, who has served 30-plus years in prison, including 19 years on Florida's death row, for a murder he did not commit. After winning Green's release from death row, the firm secured a habeas corpus victory in 2018. The case is pending before the Eleventh Circuit.
Why does pro bono work matter to you as a lawyer?
By giving back every day, Crowell attorneys are able to make our society a better place. Our pro bono work has kept families in their homes, created "forever families" for children caught in a system of abuse and neglect, and obtained protection for countless survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Responses submitted by Susan Hoffman, public service partner at Crowell & Moring.
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