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BigLaw Firm Provided $1 Million in Pro Bono Work for Pentagon Memorial Fund

New York Lawyer
September 11, 2008

By Peter Page
The National Law Journal

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Many employees from Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, ranging from senior partners to clerical staff, have VIP seating at the dedication of the memorial for the 184 people killed at the Pentagon during the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.

The firm is being honored for providing $1 million worth of pro bono representation to the Pentagon Memorial Fund, the nonprofit group representing survivors and families of the victims that has raised nearly $2 million to build the memorial.

Soon after the attack, Sonnenschein partner Scott A. Memmott took the lead in organizing 70 law firms and three Washington bar associations to provide pro bono legal services to the survivors of the attack and the estates of those killed.

In early 2003, while Memmott and dozens of other lawyers were busy helping survivors settle estates, untangle child custody issues and resolve other legal problems, he met James Laychak, head of the Pentagon Memorial Fund.

The two men, who had never met before, were attending a fundraiser for the pre-school their children attended.

"Jim had just left a meeting at the Pentagon at which he was told the survivors and the families would have to raise the money to build the memorial," Memmott said. "He was wrestling with putting together a Nonprofit, and I offered our assistance. The firm jumped on it right away."

Sonnenschein attorneys handled the nonprofit incorporation of the memorial fund, attended meetings with federal officials, oversaw nonprofit corporate compliance and ranged into unexpected legal areas, such as intellectual property and negotiating the production agreement for a cable documentary on the memorial.

"You name it and we have done it over the past five years," Memmott said.

At least 50 Sonnenschein attorneys and staff at five offices nationwide, in addition to the Washington office, have worked on behalf of the memorial fund since 2003, Memmott said. All of those who remain with the firm have been invited to the dedication ceremony. President Bush, his Cabinet and many other dignitaries are expected to attend.

Memmott said the firm will continue working with the Pentagon Memorial Fund as it seeks to raise $20 million for the perpetual maintenance endowment.