Describe your firm's philosophy on pro bono service.  Pro bono legal service is in our DNA. Ninety-nine percent of our U.S. lawyers and 86% of our international lawyers met the 20-hour standard last year. Associates receive full bonus credit for pro bono hours; partners are expected to meet the minimum standard. We strive to make a social impact, whether responding to the COVID-19 crisis, representing the powerless in the criminal justice and immigration systems or developing impact financing to help communities. —Rene Kathawala

What are the two biggest cases your firm worked on in 2019? Tell us more about those cases and how you reached the outcome.  1) Our efforts last summer alleviated a public health emergency for minors being held in overcrowded immigration detention centers at the Southwest border. This work in Los Angeles federal court arose from ongoing litigation in Flores v. Barr, which governs standards for housing immigrant minors. Importantly, we obtained a preliminary injunction to rectify the life-threatening conditions and the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee compliance. We've continued to enforce protections under Flores to ensure these children are living in sanitary conditions with adequate medical care in a case that has attracted national media attention.

2) In August, we secured a [U.S. Court of Appeals for the] Fifth Circuit ruling declaring unconstitutional Louisiana's practice of jailing indigent defendants unable to pay fines and fees, known as "debtor prisons." The court found this violated the 14th Amendment, agreeing with our arguments and affirming our previous lower court win. The decision set important precedent for other states with debtor prisons. —Elyse Echtman

What was the most satisfying aspect of that work? It has been particularly rewarding to meet with children and their parents in detention facilities as part of our Flores work. Many of my matters are about dollars and cents. This one is about making a measurable difference in a child's life and minimizing the harm and trauma associated with detention of children who have crossed the border striving for a better life in the U.S. Our litigation made a social impact by improving conditions for these children. —Elyse Echtman

What other pro bono matters is the firm working on? Orrick's COVID-19 pro bono response is diverse and impactful. We secured a preliminary injunction that will release a class of vulnerable immigrant detainees exposed to the virus. We're setting up nonprofits, including those focused on addressing the shortages of PPE. We filed a class action in Louisiana to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. We are advising a prominent charity on a loan fund to serve financially struggling nonprofits. We established an employment hotline to advise nonprofits. We are investigating how COVID-19 is impacting the ability of veterans to obtain military documents necessary for their benefits applications. —Rene Kathawala

Why does pro bono work matter to you as a lawyer? I am privileged to work with sophisticated clients in my practice. But pro bono reminds me of the overwhelming obstacles for people without resources to navigate the system. I want to ensure everyone is on equal footing. No one should have to forfeit their legal rights because they don't have money for legal counsel. —Elyse Echtman

Responses submitted by Rene Kathawala, pro bono counsel, and Elyse Echtman, partner and co-head of the complex litigation and dispute resolution practice at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.