Vered Rabia, left, and Jonathan Marcus, right, of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Describe your firm's philosophy on pro bono service.

Pro bono is a core aspect of Skadden's culture. We believe not only in a lawyer's social responsibility, but that we all benefit when the legal system is accessible to everyone. We have dedicated nearly 2 million hours to pro bono over the last 10 years alone. We encourage our attorneys to identify legal needs in their community that they are passionate about helping address and develop the expertise and support systems that are needed. —Jonathan Marcus

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

Skadden attorneys and the Legal Aid Justice Center successfully challenged Virginia's "Interdiction Statute" on behalf of a class of homeless alcoholics. The plaintiffs were prosecuted multiple times under the scheme, which allowed Virginia to designate individuals as "habitual drunkards" and prosecute them for possessing alcohol. In a rare instance of a federal court of appeals invalidating a state criminal statute, the en banc [U.S. Court of Appeals for the] Fourth Circuit held the scheme facially unconstitutional, reversing the district court and overruling a decades-old circuit precedent. —Jonathan Marcus

After four years of collaboration on the Intake Initiative, attorneys at Skadden, with attorneys at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, cleared a backlog of more than 5,000 applications for help submitted to the Innocence Project (IP). Attorneys at both firms designed an efficient and effective training program that enabled lawyers to take on preliminary evaluations of IP requests. More than 900 requests for help from the backlog have moved on for further review. —Vered Rabia

What was the most satisfying aspect of that work? 

This decision prevents future incarceration of homeless alcoholics due to their illness. Virginia's punitive approach to alcoholism was unconstitutional; now the state can consider more humane and effective alternatives. —Jonathan Marcus

The partnership allowed IP staff to avoid exhausting internal resources to complete the initial reviews and to focus on other critical tasks. We believe this project will expedite more DNA-based exonerations of the wrongly convicted, whose requests could have potentially taken years longer to be evaluated. —Vered Rabia

What other pro bono matters is the firm working on? 

In light of the pandemic, we have launched multiple global COVID-19-focused research teams to ensure continuity in serving our existing pro bono clients, to prepare to assist future clients and to respond to requests by legal services organizations and [non-governmental organizations] for information. We are developing new expertise on emerging issues in real-time so that we can respond to the evolving needs of our clients. New projects include helping small businesses, nonprofits and underserved individuals understand benefits and relief under the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program, and assisting frontline medical professionals with wills and life planning, among other initiatives. —Vered Rabia

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

Having the ability to make a positive impact during a time of critical need is both a privilege and responsibility that we place immense value on at Skadden. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring our resources, expertise and level of client service to those in need. —Vered Rabia and Jonathan Marcus

Responses submitted by Vered Rabia, partner, and Jonathan Marcus, of counsel, at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.