Jim Walden of Walden Macht & Haran.

Describe your firm's philosophy on pro bono service. 

The firm is committed to using the law to effect positive social change. Through pro bono and good government work, we fight on behalf of community and preservation groups, and classes of underprivileged individuals to hold the government accountable for misconduct that harms the public and infringes on civil rights. We encourage our lawyers to pursue the pro bono matters that are most meaningful to them, which include domestic violence, immigration, wrongful conviction, harassment allegations and custody proceedings.

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

Stemming from WMH's representation of Russian whistleblower and scientist Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov who revealed the Kremlin's state-sponsored doping scheme, Jim Walden authored new legislation, the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, which would establish criminal penalties and civil remedies for international doping fraud. The bill passed unanimously through the House in 2019 (and through the Senate Commerce Committee in February 2020).

At the request of the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Dr. Agnes Callamard, a team of WMH attorneys, headed by Tim Macht, advised the special rapporteur on U.S. law concerning various civil and criminal remedies, duties of the U.S. and other governments toward intended victims of crimes (including duty to warn), and related issues arising under international treaties and other international law, in connection with her June 12, 2019, report to the Human Rights Council of the U.N. concerning the death of the Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi.

What was the most satisfying aspect of that work? 

If one individual is suffering as a result of a broken system, others are probably experiencing the same problems. There is great public service in achieving legal solutions that advance the greater good for humanity. I think I'm most satisfied by using the law to serve both my clients and the public interest, and to simply achieve progress for people in their lives.

What other pro bono matters is the firm working on? 

Representing all the district attorneys and assistant district attorneys in New York, WMH litigated a constitutional challenge to a statute that would subject our clients to a new oversight and discipline commission. WMH argued against New York state and the speaker of the State Assembly before the New York State Supreme Court on grounds that the commission violated provisions of the federal and state constitutions. On Jan. 28, the court declared the statute unconstitutional; a rare example of a statute being struck down on its face.

WMH is working on several pro bono matters, including with the Office of the Appellate Defender and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

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

The world needs lawyers to take up causes, not just cases. There is often little profit in championing a cause, even a righteous one, and sometimes causes are unpopular with clients. But lawyers are needed now more than ever to promote social good and expose corruption.

Responses submitted by Jim Walden, founding partner of Walden Macht & Haran.