WilmerHale's New York office has bolstered its ties with the Alliance for Downtown New York, a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports businesses in Lower Manhattan.
In June, Charles C. Platt, partner-in-charge of WilmerHale's New York office, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Downtown Alliance. Partner Molly Boast also recently began her second term on the Downtown Lower Manhattan Association (DLMA) Board, a sister organization of the Downtown Alliance focused on strengthening businesses in the neighborhood. The board appointments further showcase WilmerHale as a leader in New York's downtown business district and position the firm alongside many local policymakers and other key stakeholders.
WilmerHale has also remained the co-presenting sponsor, along with the Downtown Alliance, of the business district's free Wi-Fi program. The firm's support of the Lower Manhattan Free Wi-Fi Program, since moving its office to Lower Manhattan in 2012, has helped provide free Internet access to more than 1.5 million devices over the last four years.
Additionally, WilmerHale's support of the Wi-Fi program has expanded to include Lower Manhattan Headquarters (LMHQ), a working space created by the Downtown Alliance that allows companies to collaborate and accelerate their growth. WilmerHale has sought to ensure that Wi-Fi is easily accessible for all who live, work and visit downtown New York. It represents a vital information resource and social engagement platform that the firm has sought to expand throughout the neighborhood.
“We're thrilled to strengthen our partnership with the Downtown Alliance and expand the free Wi-Fi program to include LMHQ,” Platt said. “The Downtown Alliance continues to be the foundation of the neighborhood's business community. Its support of both established and early stage companies has been indispensable in building and maintaining a vibrant business environment in Lower Manhattan.”
In addition to Platt, the Downtown Alliance's board of directors includes New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Condé Nast Chief Administrative Officer Jill Bright, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and HarperCollins Publishers Chief Marketing Officer Angela Tribelli.
“WilmerHale was the first law firm to relocate their offices to downtown after 9/11, and their commitment to the revitalization of Lower Manhattan extends beyond generous program sponsorships to include personal investments of time and intellect from the top down,” said Jessica Lappin, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “We congratulate Molly Boast on her second term as a board member of the DLMA, welcome our newest Downtown Alliance board member Charles Platt, and thank all of our friends at WilmerHale for their ongoing support of the community.”
“WilmerHale is proud to have relationships with both of these organizations and to play an active role on their boards. A strong business community in Lower Manhattan not only helps our firm, but our attorneys and staff and even our clients,” Boast said.
The Downtown Alliance oversees the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID). This area stretches from City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street, in Lower Manhattan. The organization focuses on economic development advocacy in addition to offering free area transportation, streetscape services, public space management, sanitation and marketing and communication for the BID.
The DLMA was founded in 1958 by David Rockefeller and includes stakeholders from major businesses in Lower Manhattan. It provides a public policy platform to advocate for the neighborhood and a forum where executives can network with their peers. The organization has focused on creating a second-to-none business district dedicated to preserving the past and preparing for the future in downtown New York.