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In celebration of National Pro Bono Week, Loeb & Loeb’s Pro Bono director, Meredith Madnick, is joined by Andrew Hughes, vice president of litigation at Paramount Global, to discuss the long-standing history of the Loeb-Paramount pro bono partnership, how to build and maintain strong pro bono programs, and what’s next for the partnership.
Can you share some history behind Loeb and Paramount’s joint pro bono efforts?
Andy: We first began working together in 2019, back when Viacom and CBS were two separate companies. At that time, Loeb worked independently with both Viacom and CBS. Once they merged in 2019 to form Paramount Global, our efforts combined as well. We’ve worked on a variety of projects since then, from long-term representation to single-day clinics covering a range of subject matters. I participated in one of the early post-merger clinics, which was the first time I met some of my new colleagues. It’s incredible to see how the program has grown, especially during the pandemic, when we successfully transitioned to a virtual setting. Paramount is proud of what the pro bono program has accomplished, and we are very pleased that we have been able to work with Loeb on so many important projects.
Meredith: Our partnership with Paramount Global has been strong from the start. As Andy mentioned, even before the merger, Loeb worked with both Viacom and CBS, with the first clinic taking place through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. That was an in-person clinic, and it set the stage for a relationship that has only grown over the years. Even through corporate changes, we’ve managed to keep pro bono work a consistent and important part of the relationship.
What advice would you give other organizations looking to build successful pro bono partnerships?
Meredith: Flexibility is key. One of the best aspects of the Loeb-Paramount collaboration is the variety of projects we’ve worked on, allowing people to engage in areas they’re truly passionate about. People respond to different causes—whether it’s helping small businesses assess their protections for their intellectual property with the nonprofit Start Small Think Big, filing appeals for individuals seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and medical benefits with Legal Services NYC, assisting veterans seeking their full medical benefits with the Veterans Assistance Project or providing advice to low-income artists through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. By catering to the interests of our lawyers, we’ve been able to maintain high levels of engagement and impact.
Andy: I completely agree. Building personal connections and aligning on shared priorities and goals are crucial to maintaining a successful partnership. There is certainly a shared enthusiasm and commitment between Paramount and Loeb, and that shines through in our work and the services that we provide to our clients.
How do you measure the impact of Paramount’s pro bono work?
Andy: We look at both quantitative and qualitative metrics. We have an amazing (and deep) bench of volunteers at Paramount who make our pro bono program special. We always want to hear from them, so we send out surveys after each pro bono event to gauge how they felt about the experience, how impactful the project was and whether they felt they contributed meaningfully. We also always love receiving feedback from the nonprofit organizations and clients that we support. It’s important to assess both tangible outcomes and personal experiences.
Meredith: We also focus on identifying specific needs and filling niche gaps. For example, Loeb and Paramount have worked on humanitarian matters, such as dedicating over 2,000 hours across 18 teams to assist families separated at the border. We’ve also had success with a recurring clinic, having repeat volunteers for projects with Inland Counties Legal Services supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in a region where access to legal services has been limited. The ability to work remotely has enabled us to reach even broader audiences and make a greater impact.
Looking to the future, how do you envision the Loeb-Paramount partnership evolving?
Meredith: We’re looking at expanding our efforts. We’re already preparing for a clinic with Start Small Think Big in early 2025 that focuses on intellectual property law, a field that aligns well with Loeb and Paramount’s experience. As we move forward, we’ll continue to seek new opportunities while building on the successes of our previous projects.
Andy: I agree. We’ll continue listening to our volunteers, exploring new areas of involvement and expanding on the projects that have been most impactful. It’s all about staying flexible, open and innovative in our approach to pro bono work.
For more information on Loeb’s Pro Bono program or to collaborate on a pro bono matter, please contact Meredith Madnick, pro bono director.