Thursday, August 8, 2002
Page 3
O’Melveny & Myers Associates Raise Funds for Legal Aid Foundation
By a MetNews Staff Writer
The law firm of O’Melveny & Myers will present the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles tonight with a check for more than $9,000 as part of a fledgling campaign for support from non-partner lawyers at area firms.
The foundation and O’Melveny have slated a celebration at the Standard Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to turn over the $9,255, raised by more than 100 of the firm’s associates.
Foundation Development Director Kathleen Sheldon said the Associates Campaign, launched this year, was inspired by an Atlanta program called “Greedy for the Needy.”
“We hoped to raise $15,000 to $30,000, and O’Melveny already has gotten us more than halfway there,” Sheldon said.
More funds are expected during the course of the year from other Los Angeles firms, Sheldon said.
O’Melveny partner Seth Aronson, who heads the local office, said in a prepared statement that the contribution comes as part of the firm’s tradition of supporting legal services for the poor.
“This impressive effort by O’Melveny associates and counsel continues our firm’s long tradition of supporting Legal Aid’s efforts to provide legal services to those who can least afford them,” Aronson said.
The firm also noted that it has long supported the foundation with annual donations, administrative oversight, and pro bono service. In the 1930s, firm founder John O’Melveny was president of the foundation’s Board of Directors, and several decades later Aronson and Fred McLane served in that role.
Aronson, John Stamper, Mark Steinberg, Bob Vanderet, Gil Ray and McLane, have served on the foundation’s board.
Los Angeles-based O’Melveny now maintains 13 offices around the world.
The foundation provides free legal assistance to the working poor in Los Angeles on child custody, domestic violence, housing and employment discrimination issues.
Much of the foundation’s funding comes from the federal Legal Services Corporation, with the balance coming from foundation grants and the annual fund drive.
Copyright 2002, Metropolitan News Company