Stokes Lawrence Again Recognized Among Leaders In Corporate Giving
We are proud that Puget Sound Business Journal has named Stokes Lawrence one of Washington’s Top 75 Corporate Philanthropists "for your amazing cash contributions to the region’s nonprofit community." Stokes Lawrence also made the list in 2011. We target our giving to promote vital access to legal services and other basic necessities - food, housing, clothing, education and health care. In addition to the firm’s cash contributions, our attorneys provide a wide variety of pro bono legal services and work with community organizations. We also encourage employee giving through matched contributions and our enthusiastic participation in the legal community’s annual "Food Frenzy."
STOKES LAWRENCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The mission of the Stokes Lawrence Charitable Foundation is to support public charities operating in the Northwest that promote social justice and equal access to justice and that provide food, housing, clothing, education and health care to individuals in need. The Foundation is primarily funded by donations from shareholders and employees of Stokes Lawrence, although donations from the general public are also accepted. The Foundation matches qualified gifts to public charities made by Stokes Lawrence shareholders and employees. In 2012, the first year of the Foundation, the primary recipients of Foundation donations were Campaign for Equal Justice, Washington State Bar Foundation, Future of the Law Institute, and Northwest Harvest.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
We give generously of our talent and financial resources to local organizations that promote social justice and help less fortunate individuals and families. Stokes Lawrence was recently recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the state's most generous charitable donors among companies with revenues under $20 million. Our contributions help increase access to legal services as well as provide the basic necessities of life: food, housing, clothing, education and health care. We are enthusiastic participants in the legal community's annual "Food Frenzy," which benefits local food banks, raising several thousands of dollars each year.
MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM
We match employee contributions to qualified charitable organizations. This program has benefited nearly 100 charities. Individually, many of our employees participate through payroll deductions in the United Way and the Women's Funding Alliance.
Recent recipients of Stokes Lawrence giving include:
Campaign for Equal Justice / LAW Fund (Legal Aid for Washington)
KCBA Future of the Law Institute
Northwest Immigration Rights Project
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Rod's House / Homeless Youth Workgroup of Yakima County
Union Gospel Mission Open Door Legal Services
Washington Apple Education Foundation
Washington Coalition For Open Government
Washington State Bar Foundation
PRO BONO ACTIVITIES
Our attorneys give generously of their time on community and pro bono activities. Following are examples of volunteer activities by our attorneys and firm:
- We contribute financial and pro bono legal services to UGM's Open Door Legal Services Clinic, which serves the poor, homeless, and recovering members of the Seattle Community.
- Our attorneys regularly provide free legal services at King County Neighborhood Legal Clinics.
- Many of our attorneys take on pro bono matters for low income clients through various organizations, including Yakima Volunteer Legal Services, the Northwest Immigration Rights Project, the Federal District Court's Pro Se Civil Rights Panel, the ACLU, and the Northwest Women's Law Center.
- We partnered with several organizations in efforts to advance property and domestic partnership rights for GLBT individuals as well as the fight for marriage rights.
- We served as cooperating attorneys with the ACLU and The Defender Association in challenging the City of Seattle's alleged disproportionate enforcement of drug laws against racial minorities.
- We represented a group of deaf women in a case challenging several municipalities' practices in responding to domestic violence calls involving deaf and hearing impaired women.
I had a gut feeling about this place before I even joined the firm. I'd have more responsibility and opportunity. There was a strong sense of community and collaboration. My gut feeling was right.
ANEELAH AFZALI, General Counsel, Edifecs, Inc. and former Stokes Lawrence shareholder
Client List
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