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May 29, 2008 2:57 PM
Am Law Firms Contribute to China's Earthquake Relief
Posted by Vivia Chen
Is it sheer coincidence that many of the American law firms opening their wallets to help China's recent earthquake victims also happen to have active China practices? Probably not. But even cynics have to admit that some firms--though certainly not all major firms in the region--are giving much-needed help, regardless of their motives.
More than half a dozen firms (Dewey & LeBouef; Heller Ehrman; Kirkland & Ellis; McDermott Will & Emery; Morrison & Foerster; Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe; Sullivan & Cromwell) have contributed to various relief organizations to aid the Chinese. Other firms pitching in include Baker & McKenzie (its Taiwan office pledged $150,000); Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (contribution and matching gifts, amounts unknown); O'Melveny & Myers ($18,500 in cash and supplies); Paul Hastings (no limit on matching employee gifts) and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (matching funds of $1,000 per employee). Above the Law also reports that Weil, Gotshal & Manges is contributing to relief efforts.
Firms seem to be galvanized by a combination of business considerations and moral imperatives. "We've made a commitment to business [in China] and have employees there, and we want to show our support," says MoFo managing partner Keith Wetmore. His firm provides matching funds up to $500 per employee. "Having offices [in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong] heightens our awareness."
The presence of Chinese lawyers and do-good associates also seem to be driving forces. "The idea came from associates in New York," says Matthew Larrabee, chairman of San Francisco-based Heller Ehrman, adding, "We decided in an hour [to make a donation]." (Heller spokesperson Patrick Bustamante estimates that the firm's total donation will be $50,000, including $20,000 from the firm's foundation and the remainder in individual gifts and matching firm funds.)
David Patrick Eich, a partner at Kirkland's Hong Kong office, was also initially prodded by associates, many of them Chinese, to offer help. "After the pictures of the earthquake came out, half a dozen associates from New York e-mailed me and [partner] Chaun Li, asking, 'What are we going to do about this?'" As it happens, Li is a native of Sichuan province, where the earthquake struck, and is now leading the firm's donation effort. Eich says the firm will likely end up donating $300,000 to the relief effort, including $100,000 from the firm's foundation and the remainder from individuals and matching funds. That amount, adds Eich, is what the firm gave to Katrina relief and the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia a few years ago.
But China is more than an abstract tragedy, Eich adds: "It touches people on a personal level...this is a chance to show the Chinese that we care."
Additional reporting by Julie Triedman
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That's cool. It's good to hear that they are getting the extra help they need,that was a devastating quake.
Good For You Guys.
Comment By mark - May 29, 2008 at 3:31 PM
I was actively involved in the donation collection effort of the firm I worked in (an AM 200 firm) and was touched by the response I got -- China is no longer a remote-sounding place, as people told me that they had visited to China before and loved the people and the place.
Comment By courtney - May 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Davis Polk & Wardwell announced it today.
"DPW Earthquake Relief
We are pleased to announce that the Firm will contribute $100,000 to charitable organizations assisting in the rescue and relief efforts and to funds being organized to provide financial assistance to victims of the earthquake disaster in China and their families. We will match employee cash contributions to these charitable organizations and funds, which will determine how the Firm's contribution will be allocated to these various organizations and funds. All contributions made since May 12, 2008, the date of the earthquake, are eligible for matching. To qualify for this program, contributions must be made by August 31, 2008.
Employees who contribute should send a copy of their check or other evidence of their donation (such as e-mail confirmations of contribution or credit card receipts) to Jeannie Gratta in Benefits (Room 1216) along with details regarding where the Firm matching contributions should be sent. We will not match any contributions of goods or services.
Only organizations or funds that are recognized by the IRS as a public charity are eligible for matching contributions by the Firm. This would include most religious organizations. For your information, we will circulate to all of you a partial list of organizations and funds we have identified that are assisting in the relief efforts, along with details of how to contribute to these organizations. You do not have contribute to the organizations on this list to qualify for the matching contribution so long as the fund is qualified as a public charity."
Comment By Anonymous - June 2, 2008 at 5:38 PM