Sterne Kessler launched its Intellectual Property and Human Rights Pro Bono Practice—the first of its kind— more than a decade ago, with a focus on the interplay of IP and human rights.
Our practice has since evolved to address a broad spectrum of pro bono issues as the firm partners with deserving organizations that assist underserved communities—both locally and internationally—on issues including immigration, veterans assistance, and more.
Each year, our lawyers donate time towards pro bono legal services, collaborating with clients and organizations that demonstrate our shared values and commitment to ensuring everyone has access to justice, regardless of financial circumstances.
Additionally, our pro bono practice brings together professionals from across the firm and provides junior lawyers with valuable opportunities to work on a wide range of legal matters. This hands-on experience helps them develop essential skills in direct examinations, courtroom presence, client interactions, and case management, among others.
Economic, Social, and Cultural Human Rights
We strive to ensure fair access to patent rights for technological innovations in impoverished and Indigenous communities around the world. Our goal is to create sustainable income streams and promote economic development for these groups. For example, we successfully assisted an Indigenous community in securing patents that harness their traditional knowledge, such as innovative agricultural techniques, machinery, and derived products, thereby empowering them and preserving their valuable expertise. Additionally, the pro bono team has assisted Whitman-Walker Health during their annual Medicare Part D project to help individuals enrolling in new Medicare plans.
Intellectual Property for Non-Profit Organizations
We’re committed to giving back to our community through various initiatives involving intellectual property matters. Whether co-hosting our annual small business clinic with the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center or assisting non-profit organizations and underserved individuals with their IP needs—such as trademarks, design patents, licensing, copyrights, and more—our goal is to provide valuable legal support to underserved individuals and groups, ensuring they have a strong voice and the assistance they need to thrive.
Immigration
Our firm is dedicated to assisting clients fleeing violence in their home countries and supporting unaccompanied minors in their efforts to reunite with their families in the United States as they flee their home country due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. We regularly partner with organizations that dedicate their time to assisting immigrants by providing them with high-quality legal representation in their immigration court proceedings.
Veterans Assistance
Our pro bono team provides support to veterans who have been injured in service and need assistance obtaining VA benefits. We have worked on a range of issues, including securing a sua sponte ruling for veterans seeking VA benefits and attained a grant of certiorari at the U.S. Supreme Court for an important appeal related to veterans’ disability benefits.
Organization Partners
- Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc.
- Cardozo Law Patent Diversity Project
- DC Bar Pro Bono Center
Be Considered for Pro Bono Support
The majority of our pro bono clients come to the firm via referral from one of our organization partners. We strongly encourage individuals interested in securing pro bono counsel to contact our partners for assistance with the application process. In some instances, we are able to engage with an individual or organization directly if the legal need is specifically for intellectual property support, and the interested party is without means and from a disenfranchised community.