Kirkland & Ellis LLP Establishes Disability Rights Legal Center Fellowship

Kirkland & Ellis LLP has endowed a permanent fellowship to the Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC). The fellowship will enable the DRLC to hire a new attorney every two years to work on a specific DRLC project.

"Kirkland has long supported the DRLC and other organizations that provide pro bono legal services to those in need," said John Weissenbach, partner in Kirkland's Los Angeles office and member of Kirkland's firmwide management committee. "Our contribution will serve as permanent capital to support the DRLC in its important mission: providing quality legal services to promote the rights of people with disabilities."

"Kirkland & Ellis has been a remarkable partner in pro bono projects at the Disability Rights Legal Center. This donation takes their commitment to the next level, ensuring that the firm has a lasting impact in the field of disability rights. We are proud that Kirkland would join with us to train the next generation of advocates. It is a legacy worthy of their demonstrated commitment to the public interest community," said Paula Pearlman, executive director of the DRLC.

Kirkland established the fellowship to support the work of the DRLC in the Los Angeles community. Kirkland and the DRLC will partner to create a competitive application process and to select, train and develop each fellow.

"Kirkland & Ellis encourages all of its lawyers to participate in a wide range of pro bono activities, which are approached in the same manner as billable work," said Mark Cramer, partner and pro bono coordinator for Kirkland's Los Angeles office. "The Firm's commitment to its pro bono program, as well as the strength of the Kirkland & Ellis Foundation, allows our attorneys and staff to regularly give back to the communities in which we live and work."

The DRLC has been providing legal service and community education for more than three decades. In addition to the center's Civil Rights Litigation Project, which handles high-impact disability rights cases, the DRLC's Education Advocacy Project teaches parents and guardians to advocate for their children's educational rights, and represents them in administrative hearings. The DRLC's Cancer Legal Resource Center, now in its 11th year, provides legal counseling and referrals to individuals and families faced with a cancer diagnosis. For more information, visit www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,400-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, corporate, restructuring, tax and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Munich, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.