In the 2023 Pro Bono Innovators issue, Bloomberg Law recognized Fenwick & West for reaching a groundbreaking settlement against San Mateo Superior Court’s civil assessments program. Fenwick achieved this settlement in partnership with Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, ACLU Foundation of Northern California, and Bay Area Legal Aid. The program previously imposed a $300 fee on individuals who didn’t pay traffic fines or failed to respond by the court’s assigned deadline.
Eric Ball, the lead of Fenwick’s trademark litigation practice area, revealed that the firm got involved in the lawsuit against San Mateo Superior Court’s civil assessments program via their longstanding pro bono partner, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. After joining forces with the aforementioned advocacy organizations, Fenwick exhibited the unconstitutional nature of the fees, drawing attention to their disproportionate impact on low-income residents.
Ball stated that one of their most innovative approaches was the unconventional step of filing a lawsuit against the courts, raising unique constitutional claims. This immediately brought everyone to the negotiating table. The legal team further worked collaboratively with political and judicial leaders in San Mateo County and the state of California to enforce a policy change.
In addition to their impactful pro bono work at the local level, Fenwick’s contributions also featured on a global scale. Upon the U.S. military’s exit from Afghanistan in late August 2021, the firm adapted its Fenwick Labs software program, initially used for mass arbitration, to assist in the processing of hundreds of Afghan refugees’ humanitarian parole applications. This was critical to manage the extensive documentation required for these applications and to expedite the process.
Hilarie Atkisson, the senior director of corporate responsibility and pro bono counsel, noted that this system remains ready for deployment in other emergency situations where legal assistance is needed. The innovative use of technology served as a clear example of Fenwick’s effort to streamline complex legal processes and commitment to assisting those in dire need.
Upon achieving resolution in these matters, the firm ensured to acknowledge the efforts of the attorneys involved and inspire others to contribute to their pro bono and community initiatives. This recognition and celebration of their achievements serve as enduring testament to the legal industry’s potential to facilitate meaningful and positive change in the wider community.