On September 21, 2022, WilmerHale was recognized with the Volunteer Lawyers Project’s (VLP) Denis Maguire Pro Bono Award for the firm’s work with the organization. Throughout recent years, WilmerHale attorneys have been involved in a number of programs to support VLP’s clients, including Answer & Discovering Clinics, the Civil Appeals Clinics and The Lawyer for a Day Clinic. During these clinics, WilmerHale attorneys offer legal guidance to clients who are often navigating new circumstances.

“Lawyer for a Day clinic is one of the best opportunities to get valuable and gratifying experiences early in your career while developing important professional skills,” said WilmerHale Counsel, Yavor Nechev. “As a first, second-, or third-year associate, the opportunities to engage in client counseling, negotiations with opposing counsel, argue motions at a hearing, or conduct a full-scale trial are rare. The Lawyer for a Day clinic offers all these opportunities and exposes young associates to one of the most important skills for a new lawyer—feeling comfortable in an unfamiliar setting.”

Since 1989, the Denis Maguire Pro Bono Award has honored the work of outstanding members of VLP’s pro bono panel and commemorates Denis Maguire’s commitment to VLP and access to justice through pro bono efforts.

The mission of VLP is to increase access to justice by delivering high quality pro bono civil legal services to eligible clients in the Greater Boston area.