From the Courtroom to the Community: Loeb & Loeb’s Latest Pro Bono Efforts from May Through July 2025

Whether securing housing, protecting creative works or finalizing adoptions, Loeb & Loeb’s recent pro bono work underscores a steadfast commitment to expanding access to justice. From May through July 2025, firm lawyers partnered with clients and nonprofits across the country to deliver meaningful counsel and create lasting impact.

The following offers a glimpse into these initiatives in action.

May 

Loeb and TransUnion Partner with Lawyers for the Creative Arts to Support Local Artists

On May 6, a team of Loeb lawyers partnered with 11 in-house counsel from firm client TransUnion to provide pro bono legal assistance to six artists and arts organizations. The legal clinic, hosted by Lawyers for the Creative Arts—a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to connecting the artistic community in Illinois with pro bono representation—primarily focused on reviewing contracts.

Following a brief orientation, teams of volunteers met with clients for one-on-one consultations. Participants included a mosaic artist, a video producer, a film writer and director, an interdisciplinary artist and arts educator, and a Latino arts festival organization. The team also supported a dance organization with legal guidance on related matters after the clinic.

The Loeb pro bono team included partners Ross Emmerman, Doug Masters and Jon Thielbar; senior counsel Mary Bassi; and associates Jenny Savitt, Ali Schaller and Lisa Wiznitzer.

Loeb Teams Up with City National Bank and LAFLA to Support Residents in Skid Row

Loeb lawyers joined in-house counsel from City National Bank—one of the firm’s clients—on May 21 to provide pro bono legal services at a clinic hosted by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA). Held in Skid Row, a downtown Los Angeles neighborhood with one of the largest unhoused populations in the U.S., the clinic offers essential legal assistance to individuals facing housing insecurity and other poverty-related legal issues.

During the clinic, the pro bono lawyers worked directly with individuals navigating residential housing challenges. The team offered legal guidance on a variety of issues, including eviction defense, landlord disputes and tenant harassment, helping clients better understand their rights and potential remedies.

A special thank you to partner Jill Jones for coordinating the clinic. The firm’s pro bono team included partner Lance Jurich and associates Tyler Downing, Erin Shields and Ari Spitzer.

Loeb and Disney Join Forces to Provide Pro Bono Legal Support to the Arts

Loeb and firm client Disney partnered on May 29 to host a virtual pro bono clinic for eight clients of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA), offering legal support to the voices behind New York’s vibrant arts scene. Founded in 1969, VLA is a nonprofit committed to supporting New York’s artists and arts organizations through legal services and education. 

The clinic began with a brief orientation led by the VLA team, followed by breakout sessions where teams of Loeb and Disney lawyers reviewed their assigned matters and conducted virtual client consultations. In total, 18 Loeb lawyers, 16 Disney in-house counsel and three Disney paralegals provided pro bono legal support to low-income artists and arts organizations. Clients included a content creator, co-writers of a feature film, a philosophical wellness group, a children’s book author, a songwriter and musician, a multidisciplinary arts nonprofit, a fashion designer, and the widow of a late musician.

Loeb associate Brandon Zamudio, a member of VLA’s associate board, spearheaded the collaboration with Disney that made this pro bono project possible. Participating Loeb lawyers included partners Roger Arar, Tal Dickstein, Seth Rose and Megan Stombock; senior counsel Mary Bassi, Brittany Berckes and Caitlin Dempsey; and associates Ava Badie, Melissa Brenner, Brianna Cloud, Janice Han, Jacob Maslavi, Sam Raffa, Rosie Schwarz, Erin Shields, Jacob Sievers and Richmund Sta. Lucia.

June 

Loeb Hosts Pro Bono Fairs in Los Angeles and New York

Loeb hosted Pro Bono Fairs in Los Angeles and New York on June 4 and June 11, respectively—bringing together clients, professional contacts and firm lawyers to connect with leading legal service organizations in each city. The events were designed to foster collaboration between the legal and nonprofit communities and to promote greater access to justice by spotlighting meaningful opportunities for pro bono engagement.

In Los Angeles, attendees connected with representatives from Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Bet Tzedek, Inland Counties Legal Services, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles and Public Counsel. In New York, participating organizations included the City Bar Justice Center, HIAS, Lawyers Alliance, Legal Services NYC, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), Pro Bono Partnership and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Over light bites and giveaways, guests learned more about the impactful work these nonprofits are doing—and how they can get involved.

Loeb Lends a Hand to Fight Poverty in New York City

Loeb hosted a virtual pro bono clinic on June 10 in collaboration with Legal Services NYC to support six low-income clients seeking assistance with food and income security. Established in 1968, Legal Services NYC advocates for racial, social and economic equity by helping New Yorkers access essential resources like housing, education, health care and public benefits.

Six clients were each matched with a team—eight Loeb volunteers in total—who conducted a series of virtual consultations over several weeks. The teams assessed eligibility for programs such as SNAP, cash assistance and Medicaid, guided clients through the application process, uploaded necessary documentation, and tracked submissions through the NYC Human Resources Administration system.

The Loeb volunteer team included partners Liz Allen, Lauren Fried, Kathleen Gersh and Libby O'Neill; senior counsel Leily Lashkari and Sarah Levitan Perry; associate Nate Minott; and paralegal Patrycja Makles-Chuchro. 

Loeb Teams Up with Miranda Family Fund to Empower Emerging Artists

Loeb partnered with the Miranda Family Fund—founded by award-winning composer, lyricist and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda and his family—to help advance the careers of emerging artists from underrepresented backgrounds. Through its Fellowship Program, the Miranda Family Fund works to build a more inclusive entertainment industry by identifying, cultivating and launching diverse talent.

As part of the Fellows’ Summit on June 11, which featured workshops and networking opportunities, Loeb lawyers provided one-on-one, in-person consultations to the fellows. Throughout the day, they met with nine emerging artists, delivering tailored legal guidance on negotiating salaries and contracts, securing fair compensation, navigating booking opportunities and protecting creative works through copyright. Each session offered fellows the chance to address their most pressing legal questions and walk away with practical, actionable advice to support their careers.

The firm’s pro bono team was led and coordinated by senior counsel Daryl Steiger and included partners Roger Arar, Carol Kaplan, Anne Kennedy McGuire and Stefan Schick and associates Edward Delman and Brandon Zamudio. The initiative is ongoing, with the team looking to provide counsel to additional fellows.

Loeb Collaborates with ICLS to Provide Support to LGBTQIA+ Individuals

On June 25, Loeb held its sixth pro bono clinic focused on advance health care directives (AHCDs), providing legal support to five LGBTQIA+ clients referred by Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS), a nonprofit offering free legal aid to low-income individuals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. AHCDs allow individuals to outline their medical care preferences and appoint someone to make health care decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. For members of the LGBTQIA+ community, these directives can be especially vital, helping to affirm gender identity—including preferred pronouns and names—and ensuring trusted individuals are empowered to make critical decisions.

During the clinic, pairs of Loeb volunteers met individually with each client to provide legal guidance on the importance of AHCDs, including key considerations related to gender identity. Volunteers also assisted clients in selecting a health care agent and supported them in drafting and finalizing the required legal documents.

Loeb’s pro bono team included partners Leah Bishop, Michael Donner and Danielle Miller; senior counsel Sasha Bass; and associates Kelly Cooksey, Lucas Gelfen, Sam Raffa, Madi Sand, Rosie Schwarz and Brian Wong.

July

Loeb Partners with Alliance for Children's Rights to Support Summer Adoption Day Program

In the lead-up to the Alliance for Children’s Rights’ Summer Adoption Day on August 1, Loeb partners Michael Gerald and Jerry Phillips and senior counsel Sasha Bass dedicated their time in July to assisting adoptive families in two meaningful cases. One involved the adoption of three siblings by their maternal aunt; the other, a baby being adopted by a non-relative foster parent. The team provided legal guidance throughout the process, prepared the necessary documentation, and represented the families at the August 1 hearings.

Founded in 1992, the Alliance for Children’s Rights advocates for children living in poverty and those who have experienced abuse or neglect by offering free legal services, supportive programs and systemic reform. Its Adoption Day events—held several times each year—are dedicated court days that celebrate the finalization of adoptions in Los Angeles.

Learn more about Loeb’s Pro Bono program here.