Setting the Standard: Jenner & Block Honored for Commitment to Pro Bono

Pro bono is in Jenner & Block’s DNA.

The internationally recognized law firm was founded in 1914. Four decades later, Jenner & Block Partners Thomas P. Sullivan, Prentice H. Marshall, and Jerold S. Solovy launched one of the industry’s first formal pro bono programs, establishing the firm’s commitment to giving back. A commitment embraced by Partners Albert E. Jenner, Jr. and Samuel W. Block as leaders of the firm that would ultimately carry their names.

Since the pro bono program’s launch in the 1950s, Jenner & Block has set the standard. The firm is deeply committed to promoting justice for all people – and lifting up nonprofits and marginalized communities.

“Jenner & Block’s commitment to pro bono is unparalleled,” said Andrew W. Vail, Partner at Jenner & Block, and General Counsel for United Way of Metro Chicago. “We’re proud of our longstanding, strong commitment to communities.”

In 2021, Jenner announced a five-year commitment to provide $250 million in free legal assistance, meeting their goal 18 months ahead of schedule. In 2024, 97% of Jenner & Block lawyers contributed more than 50 pro bono hours, totaling more than 90,000 hours across the firm’s locations.

“Pro bono service is a cornerstone of our work at Jenner, and our partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago is one we’re especially proud of,” Andrew said. “It reflects our deep commitment to community—an essential part of our DNA—alongside our unwavering advocacy on behalf of our clients. Last year, our lawyers contributed over 90,000 hours of pro bono work, with more than 31,000 of those hours dedicated right here in Chicago.”

Not only has Andrew provided strategic advice and legal counsel to United Way for years, but Jenner & Block lawyers have served as executive volunteers on United Way’s Board of Directors and various organizational task forces. Jenner & Block also supported United Way’s launch of 211 Metro Chicago in January 2023. Its team provided hundreds of hours of specialized work navigating contracts, data/privacy counseling, and more, all to make the critical health and social service helpline a reality for our neighbors in Cook County.

“What’s been so truly rewarding about my time with United Way has been collaborating with the amazing United Way team, my Jenner & Block colleagues, and others in the legal community to provide support to the organization and its daily work to improve the lives of those in our Chicagoland community,” Andrew said.

In recognition of the firm’s longstanding commitment to United Way and its support of nonprofit organizations across the Chicago region, Jenner & Block received the 2025 Corporate Leadership Award at United Way of Metro Chicago’s annual Stronger Neighborhoods Awards Luncheon on May 28, 2025.

“In 1914, Wrigley Field was built, Carl Sandburg wrote of Chicago’s ‘Big Shoulders,’ and our law firm was formed,” Andrew said at the Stronger Neighborhoods Awards, accepting the 2025 Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of Jenner & Block. “Ever since, Jenner & Block lawyers have served Chicago, and the nation, and passed that commitment to community and clients down . . . to the next generation of Jenner lawyers. With partnerships like United Way and standing together with the ‘Big Shoulders’ of so many in this room, I commit to you that Jenner & Block will continue to serve our communities and clients for at least the next 100 years.”