Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Ranked fifth in the 2011 A-List and the only firm included among
the top seven in each of the nine years of the survey.
—THE AMERICAN LAWYER 2011 “A-LIST”

“Among the boldest and most forward thinking of global players.”
“US Law Firm of the Year”
—LEGAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Debevoise was listed as a leading firm in 47 categories, and
listed 71 Debevoise lawyers as leaders in their fields, representing
approximately 62% of the U.S. partnership.
America’s Leading Lawyers For Business 2010
—CHAMBERS USA

The American Bar Association selected Debevoise to receive a Pro
Bono Publico Award for the firm’s extraordinary contribution of
legal services to those who cannot afford representation.
—ABA PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARD

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP was founded in 1931 with the goal of offering sophisticated legal services. We maintain this tradition of seeking excellence in a comprehensive, modern practice that spans the Americas, Europe and Asia. Our lawyers are responsive, thoughtful, ethical and vigorous advocates with a substantive understanding of our clients’ business needs and the many marketplaces in which they compete. We have leading practices that often have a cross border focus due to the firm’s international approach to the practice of law. Debevoise places the highest value on collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation in order to provide clients with seamless representation across practice areas and across continents. Michael W. Blair serves as the firm’s Presiding Partner and is based in the New York office.

PRO BONO

Debevoise lawyers have been dedicated to public service since our firm was founded in 1931. Pro bono legal service is a fundamental part of who we are, and we also know how important it is to those we assist. Says Michael Blair, Debevoise’s presiding partner, “A strong commitment to pro bono work is a longstanding tradition at Debevoise and is deeply rooted in our firm culture. Our lawyers and staff pride themselves on providing the highest quality legal services to all of our clients, billable and non-billable alike. Pro bono work at Debevoise not only satisfies our ethical obligation to help those in need, but is part of what makes our lawyers strong leaders in our practices and in our communities.”

Our commitment to pro bono legal service is deep and longstanding, and we take on a large number of pro bono matters each year. Our consistent high ranking among the top law firms for pro bono work means that others have taken note. Debevoise has ranked consistently among the top firms in The American Lawyer’s annual pro bono survey and The American Lawyer’s “A-List,” which is based in part on our commitment to pro bono legal service.

Debevoise is a charter signatory to the Pro Bono Institute’s Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge™, agreeing to commit at least 5% of our annual billed time to pro bono matters, as well as the New York City Bar Statement of Pro Bono Principles. Our pro bono work ranges from landmark international and national litigations to representing low-income individuals in the communities in which we live and practice. Debevoise lawyers obtain pro bono work from a variety of sources. In many cases, pro bono assignments are referred to Debevoise by some of the many legal service organizations with which the firm has longstanding relationships, such as The Legal Aid Society, Human Rights First, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest Inc. and LawWorks. Other pro bono projects grow out of interests that our lawyers pursue outside of the firm.

We encourage our lawyers to participate in pro bono activities early in their careers, and we support our lawyers who volunteer for pro bono work that falls outside of their particular practice areas. In all instances, our lawyers are encouraged to present proposals for pro bono engagements to the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Once an engagement is approved, it is handled as is any matter, with the dedication of all available firm resources appropriate to the needs of the representation.