TAMPA, Fla. – June 30, 2016 – International law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has been selected as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 2016 Common Good Award Winner for providing more than $1 million in pro bono legal services to the nation’s largest youth mentoring organization. The award was presented June 29 at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Awards Gala in Orlando.
The award recognizes a partner that has provided an extensive, in-kind investment of services to benefit the common good of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Led by David B. Weinstein, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Tampa office, the firm’s team negotiated a settlement agreement between Big Brothers Big Sisters, the U.S. Department of Justice and its Office of Justice Programs.
“Greenberg Traurig never hesitated to commit the substantial resources required because we believe in Big Brothers Big Sisters and considered it a privilege to help the organization continue its mission of mentoring America’s youth,’’ said Weinstein, who also chairs the firm’s Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation Practice. “We are honored to accept this award on behalf of the 170,000 children across the nation whose lives have been positively changed because they had a Big Brother or Big Sister as a strong role model.’’
Weinstein’s team of 43 lawyers and business staff from 14 Greenberg Traurig offices across the country provided hundreds of hours of legal services.
“BBBSA is grateful to Greenberg Traurig for its commitment to our mission,’’ said Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and former Tampa mayor. “The expertise and dedication of their attorneys were at the highest level.”
Greenberg Traurig’s work was critical to BBBSA’s efforts and helped position the organization as a leader in accountability. Their counsel helped continue the 111-year-old organization’s legacy of helping children facing adversity to achieve success.
“The future of Big Brothers Big Sisters looks extremely bright thanks to the hard work of Pam Iorio and her team, which is dedicated to excellence and accountability,’’ Weinstein said. “As part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve, Greenberg Traurig is proud to be a partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters in its efforts to help children succeed.’’
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better. With over 300 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 170,000 children (“Littles”), their families and 170,000 volunteer mentors (“Bigs”). Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GTLaw) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. One firm worldwide, GTLaw has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and among the Top 20 on the 2016 Am Law Global 100. Web: www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.