Pro bono work has strong institutional roots at Simpson Thacher. The particular matters we pursue are as diverse as the interests of our lawyers.
Immigration Programs
Asylum
We represent individuals seeking asylum in the United States to escape violence and other persecution in their home countries.
Representation of Children
In both immigration and family courts, our attorneys represent children who are often in the United States alone. We pursue remedies including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum and other remedies on behalf of children fleeing violent or unstable home lives.
Adjustments, Naturalizations and DACA Applications
Attorneys assist clients to prepare applications to adjust to Legal Permanent Residence, renew their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status, and for naturalization, the process by which eligible immigrants become U.S. Citizens.
Domestic Violence and Trafficking
We represent immigrant victims of domestic violence and trafficking in seeking legal status in the United States based on their cooperation with government prosecution of certain crimes and other criteria. We also represent victims of violence as witnesses for federal law enforcement agencies.
Nonprofit Organizations
The Firm has a long history of providing legal services to a variety of nonprofit organizations and public charities. Associates assist nonprofit organizations with filing for federal tax exemption and advise on an array of governance issues.
Services to Students
Access to Special Education Services
Our attorneys advocate for families of children with mental and physical disabilities to help them negotiate their Individual Education Plans with the Department of Education and attain the special education services for their child that are mandated by Federal Law.
Homeless Youth Legal Clinic
Through weekly legal clinics with The Door Legal Services, our attorneys provide advice and counseling to homeless youth on an array of issues such as school enrollment, foster care, establishing person identification, housing, public benefits, transit offenses, personal finance and navigating the criminal justice system.
Voting Rights and Election Law
The Firm has challenged laws in several states which restrict access to the ballot, and has ongoing projects related to redistricting and other election-related issues. The Firm is also a longstanding host of non-partisan voter protection hotlines in both general and primary elections through its partnership with Election Protection.
Family Law
The Firm assists low-income women with custody, visitation, child and spousal support matters, and orders of protection, helping them to attain the economic stability necessary to care for their families.
Criminal Justice Programs
Trial Court Representation/CJA Panel
The Criminal Justice Act panel for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York refers pro bono matters to the Firm. These include the representation of criminal defendants, witnesses in criminal cases, and convicted individuals charged with violation of their supervised release. Associates working on these cases interview incarcerated clients; attend federal court appearances and hearings that include arraignment, bail and sentencing; and negotiate plea bargains with federal prosecutors.
Innocence Project Case Reviews
Our attorneys conduct case file reviews for the Innocence Project to determine whether there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant was innocent and, if so, whether DNA evidence might exonerate the defendant. Each case review includes a memorandum providing the Innocence Project with a recommendation as to whether or not to take the defendant’s case.
Conviction Relief in Kentucky, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C.
Our attorneys prepare expungement, expunction and pardon applications for individuals convicted of eligible felonies, misdemeanors and violations in those states. Clearing criminal records can pave the way for individuals to achieve greater economic security through stable, higher-paying employment and better housing.
Community Economic Development/Small Business Programs
Simpson Thacher lawyers offer free transactional legal advice to small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs. Through a variety of legal clinics, our lawyers meet with fledgling small businesses in need of legal advice on such matters as contract and lease negotiations; tax and intellectual property questions; formulation of employment and personnel policies; and general brainstorming about business development and corporate law.
Artists and Arts Organizations
We provide representation and advice to members of the arts community across various disciplines. Simpson Thacher lawyers counsel low-income artists and not-for-profit arts organizations on such transactional matters as starting a dance company, copyrighting a manuscript, and producing an independent film.
Services to Veterans
The Firm assists veterans in the preparation of and submission of applications for benefits, discharge upgrades and service-connected disability claims. The Firm also staffs clinics in several states at which our attorneys screen and advise veterans on a multitude of legal issues including family, health, property, tax, wills and probate, and public benefits law. The Firm has also represented classes of veterans in several class action lawsuits challenging delays in the adjudication of service-connected benefits applications and other systemic issues affecting veterans.
Services to Non-Governmental Organizations Abroad
We partner with The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, which advances global justice by engaging lawyers across borders to support civil society and an ethically active legal profession and represent a number of communities in South America on human rights issues. We also partner with TrustLaw Connect, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono service that connects NGOs and social enterprises with the best law firms around the world. The service’s mission: proliferating the practice of pro bono to drive social change especially in the areas of human rights, women’s empowerment, better governance, greater transparency and the rule of law.”