Dan Brown ’98, a partner at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP and current chair of the firm’s pro bono committee, will become the firm’s first Pro Bono Partner.
In the newly created position, Brown will devote the majority of his time to managing the firm’s pro bono program, while continuing to litigate for his and other firm clients. As Sheppard Mullin’s pro bono chair, Brown was responsible for leading a firm-wide initiative to rejuvenate and expand the role of pro bono within Sheppard Mullin, resulting in pro bono and billable hours being treated the same for associates, and pro bono becoming a factor in the annual partner compensation review process.
“It’s really a dream come true, and very exciting,” said Brown. “I can’t wait to help more of our attorneys identify meaningful pro bono opportunities to pursue their passions while helping others and achieving justice. Pro bono work has been so rewarding for me in so many ways, and it’s made me a better lawyer. I want to help as many attorneys as I can have these experiences.”
“Throughout his career, Dan has always devoted a significant amount of his time to litigating pro bono cases and, since being appointed as chair of the pro bono committee, managing our pro bono program,” said Guy Halgren, chairman of Sheppard Mullin. “The time is right to formalize a pro bono partner position to help expand our pro bono efforts and demonstrate Sheppard Mullin’s commitment to helping to close the justice gap. Dan is ideally suited to fill this role and lead this important step in the firm’s evolution.”
Earlier this year, Brown received one of the 2015 ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards for his commitment to volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged and, in particular, for his litigation on behalf of people with disabilities.