Describe your firm's philosophy on pro bono service.  We are committed to serving the public good with a primary focus on helping economically disadvantaged individuals and families. We also provide legal services to nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations whose mission it is to serve the most vulnerable among us. Globally, we support more than 1,800 pro bono clients a year, and in fiscal year 2019, 100% of our eligible lawyers performed at least 20 hours of pro bono service. —Scott Schutte

What are the two biggest cases your firm worked on in 2019? Tell us more about those cases and how you reached the outcome. Following seven years of litigation, we obtained our client's release from prison, where he had served more than 30 years for murder and attempted murder, crimes Illinois now acknowledges he didn't commit. An intensive factual investigation performed by our team proved he had confessed only after being tortured by detectives. There was no other evidence to support the convictions. After an evidentiary hearing, the judge vacated his convictions, releasing him the next day.

We secured a landmark settlement in the first federal class action to spotlight the widespread use of psychotropic drugs with foster children. The settlement overhauls the state of Missouri's administration of psychotropic medications to as many as 13,000 foster children, establishes fundamental protocols and safeguards around improper and indiscriminate administration of medication that could harm their mental/physical well-being, and sets a strong legal precedent that may lead to greater safety among foster children nationwide. —Scott Schutte

What was the most satisfying aspect of that work?  Our efforts resulted in tangible and immediate opportunities for our clients to have better lives. Our clients in foster care in Missouri won't have to live in the fog of psychotropic drugs without appropriate medical oversight. Our exonerated client already has a job and is planning to build off the associate's degree he earned in prison and obtain a bachelor's degree. —Amanda Smith

What other pro bono matters is the firm working on? We are working on thousands of cases to positively impact our clients' lives, including those affected by COVID-19. For example, we are assisting domestic violence survivors remotely in obtaining restraining orders and filing for the compassionate release of incarcerated individuals who are vulnerable to the virus. A team led by senior pro bono trial lawyer Susan Baker Manning represents two sets of married fathers who had children through surrogacy outside the United States who are being denied U.S. citizenship by the State Department. Additionally, we represent veterans in discharge upgrade and benefits matters and noncitizen military MAVNI program participants denied citizenship. —Scott Schutte

Why does pro bono work matter to you as a lawyer?  It connects me with incredible people who otherwise may not be a part of my life, and allows me to use some of my good fortune to benefit theirs. It also creates a culture of personal philanthropy that connects us to the practice and our institution, and to our clients. —Amanda Smith

Responses submitted by Schott Schutte, a partner, and Amanda Smith, thechief engagement officer, at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.