Helping Ex-Offenders Compete for Jobs and Reintegrate into Society
According to estimates compiled by the National Employment Law Project, nearly 65 million people in this country—roughly a quarter of the U.S. population—have been convicted of a criminal offense. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Justice Statistics says an average of 700,000 inmates will be released from federal and state prison each year, not counting the number of inmates expected to be released from local jails.
Important Constitutional Law Case Won by Associate at Oregon Supreme Court
In one of the most important constitutional law cases in Oregon in recent years, Portland associate Alan Galloway won a decision that allows the courts of Oregon to consider the merits of cases involving important issues even when the case becomes moot—that is, when the court’s decision will no longer affect the parties’ interests directly.
Heart of Justice Award Winner
Each year, DWT honors one associate at the firm who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to pro bono service. This year, the Heart of Justice Award was given to James Corning, a litigation associate in our Seattle office.
City Government Attempt to Silence a Critic is Blocked
A California city’s attempt to silence a persistent critic by means of a copyright claim was thwarted in court, thanks to pro bono work from a DWT team.
Shedding Light on Mistreatment of a Highly Vulnerable Population
For years, California’s nonprofit Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) has sought to document abuses at the state’s homes for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities. About 1,700 highly vulnerable Californians, with conditions such as cerebral palsy and severe autism, live in these long-term health facilities, which are owned and operated by the state and regulated by the Department of Public Health.
DWT Secures Two Victories on Behalf of Prison Legal News
Fighting to enforce the right of the public and the media to access public records is a longtime focus of pro bono work at Davis Wright Tremaine. The firm
won two victories in this fight on behalf of Prison Legal News, a monthly magazine published by the Human Rights
Defense Center that emphasizes reporting on prisoners’ rights issues.
Homelessness
Some of the most vulnerable clients we assist are those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Helping them preserve housing, keep or get benefits, and resolve other problems strengthens not only the individuals but our communities as a whole. We work with a number of organizations serving this population around the country.
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