The University of Pennsylvania Law School in Philadelphia said Wednesday that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom had donated $1 million to create a legal clinic project focused on asylum and human rights cases. Skadden partners made the gift in honor of Robert Sheehan, who graduated from Penn Law in 1969 and recently ended a 15-year stint as the firm’s executive partner. Mr. Sheehan has since taken on the role of pro bono partner at Skadden, and the asylum project will be named in his honor.
“People from many parts of the world suffer in unimaginable ways simply because of their political and religious affiliations,” Mr. Sheehan said in a statement. “Guiding them through the U.S. legal system so they can escape persecution is one of the most valuable services we as lawyers can provide.” Penn Law said it will recruit a full-time professor to advise students on asylum cases. The project will also partner with local legal service providers.
