Patton Boggs has a long-standing commitment to the development and delivery of legal services to people of limited means. At the heart of Patton Boggs’ reputation for energy and excellence is the firm’s commitment to public service—we believe that lawyers have a profound obligation to give back to their communities. We also believe that pro bono work is good for the firm—community service fosters social justice, improves the quality of a lawyer’s life, has a positive effect on legal skills and enhances professionalism. The firm recommends that all lawyers do pro bono work, and requires that associates perform a minimum of 100 hours of pro bono service per year. We believe that the firm has maintained its remarkable pro bono momentum by developing an incredibly diverse range of opportunities for our volunteers.
We have embraced challenges from the American Bar Association and the leaders of the Bars in the jurisdictions in which we maintain offices to increase our commitment to pro bono. We do so gladly and without hesitation or reservation.
Patton Boggs Recognized by Congressional Club for Pro Bono Efforts
Patton Boggs was recognized at a September 14, 2011 Congressional Club luncheon in Washington, DC, where U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonya Sotomayor delivered the keynote address. A pro bono client of the firm, the Congressional Club is a nonprofit, charitable organization comprised of the spouses of members of Congress, senators, members of the President’s Cabinet and Supreme Court justices. During the luncheon, Washington partner Thomas Downs represented the firm as it was recognized for its efforts to secure National Historic Landmark status for the Congressional Club’s historic mansion in Washington. Patton Boggs’ Denver partner Halina Dziewit has also provided trademark assistance to the organization.
Photo caption: U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonya Sotomayor and Washington partner Thomas Downs
Patton Boggs Partner Timothy J. May Played Key Role in Passage of Constitution’s 23rd Amendment
On March 29, 1961, Congress passed the 23rd Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting citizens of the nation’s capital the right to vote in the country’s presidential elections. Efforts to obtain voting rights for the District of Columbia were ongoing and dated back to the Constitution’s ratification. But, in a matter of only months, determined Washingtonians rode a wave of support and secured the right to participate in the election of the next president of the United States.
In order to amend the Constitution, a two-thirds majority is needed in both houses of the legislature, and three-fourths of the nation’s states must approve the proposed amendment. The House of Representatives passed the resolution for the 23rd Amendment on June 15, 1960, and on the next day, the Senate followed suit.
In December of that year, Washington officials formed a taskforce to manage the amendment’s national ratification efforts. Patton Boggs Partner Timothy J. May, then with the law firm Covington & Burling and an active member of the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees), was asked to serve as a vice chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Presidential Vote.
The Committee worked with the Board of Trade, the League of Women Voters and organizations like the Jaycees in its attempt to appeal to state lawmakers and raise awareness of the issue and the amendment outside the District. Both major political parties supported the Committee’s efforts.
“Everyone was behind us,” said Mr. May. “This would never have occurred if we weren’t all working together.”
The amendment was ratified by the states on March 29, 1961. May is pictured below (left) with Velma Koontz, a Committee staffer (center), and F. Elwood Davis, the Committee chairman (right). The memory is vivid, according to May, who recalled a feeling of exaltation. “It was exhilarating.”
“Tim May’s involvement in this historic endeavor was integral to its success,” said Edward Newberry, managing partner of Patton Boggs. “Washingtonians will be forever grateful for the efforts of the Citizens Committee and the invaluable contributions of Tim May.”
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