Public Counsel eNews

Running for Justice

Justice…one kilometer at a time. 

Hundreds of attorneys, paralegals and other volunteers from throughout the southland will be participating in the 4th Annual “Run For Justice” on Sunday, March 4, 2007.  (Sign up here.)

“This is a win-win for everyone,” says Matthew Heartney of Arnold & Porter LLP who helped start the event in 2003.  “For law firms and companies that participate, it is a terrific and fun team-building exercise.  For participants, it’s a great way to exercise and stay healthy.  For Public Counsel it helps raise about $100,000 to support vital work in the community and helps raise their visibility in the community.”  Every year the event has grown in popularity, and it is now one of Public Counsel’s three premiere fundraising events, along with the Annual Fund Campaign and the William O. Douglas Award Dinner.

The event takes place in conjunction with the annual Los Angeles Marathon and includes a 5K Run/Walk, the 26.2-mile Marathon and the Bike Tour.  As an official charity of the LA Marathon, Public Counsel recruits participants who also raise money that is used to support programs that provide free legal and social services to the most vulnerable members of our community. 

Family members and friends also sign up to participate.  Last year, Dick Burdge of Howrey and his entire family participated.  “We had a great time.  It was a great day…and we raised a little money for Public Counsel too.” 

Individual and Team Awards – Competition!

Individual awards are presented in each age category in the 5K Run/Walk and the Marathon and The Karen Paull Justice Cup, named in honor of Public Counsel’s former Development Director who died in 2003, is presented to the team raising the most money.  “There is fierce competition for this Award,” said Robb Scoular of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.  “Last year, our team pulled out all the stops to beat last year’s winner, Southern California Edison, by about $200.  That’s how competitive this is.”

“We’re going to get it back this year,” says Southern California Edison General Counsel Stephen Pickett, who participates in the 26.2-mile Acura Bike Tour.  “I don’t know what happened last year, but I know that our team is chomping at the bit to win back the Award this year.” 

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP came in third for the Karen Paull Justice Cup but took home the award for the most participants with 41.  “Our office really got into it.  I am so proud of our team.  This year, I hope we can raise even more money.  It’s such a great cause and everyone has a great time,” said Jamie Broder who power-walked and jogged the 5K. 

Participating Law Firms and  Companies

As of today, there are 18 teams that have signed-up to participate in this year’s event including: 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Arnold & Porter LLP
Bingham McCutchen LLP
DIRECTV
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Howrey LLP
Irell & Manella LLP
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
K&L Gates
Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif LLP
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Playa Vista
Proskauer Rose LLP
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
Southern California Edison

“Many new teams are participating this year; so we’re on track to break a record,” said Rick Rothman of Bingham McCutchen LLP that fielded a team of 18 participants last year.  “My team loves this and so do I.  This year, I am seriously considering running the Marathon again.”

There’s still time to sign-up and register.  Call or email Cheyanne Picone-Ishizuka at 213.385.2977 x112 or cpicone@publiccounsel.org.  Participants must also register for the LA Marathon at www.lamarathon.com.  All participants receive a “Run For Justice” tee shirt and an LA Marathon tee shirt and goodie bag.