This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of our firm, Drummond Woodsum, where donating legal services and providing financial support to legal aid organizations is a longstanding core principle. In 1995, Drummond Woodsum was the first recipient of the large firm Pro Bono Publico award from the Maine Bar Foundation, and every year since 2010, the firm has received the Pro Bono Publico Award from the Maine Bar and the Volunteer Lawyers Project for the "Most VLP Cases Accepted by a Law Firm." In 1998, we helped establish the Coffin Fellows Program, which funds fellowships for two attorneys to work full-time representing indigent clients in domestic relations matters. For three straight years, Drummond Woodsum received the ILAP award for “excellence in providing pro bono representation to asylum seekers and other noncitizens.” Drummond Woodsum partners have twice taken the helm at the Campaign for Justice, which provides funding to multiple legal aid non-profits. We just completed a significant multi-year gift to the Law School Foundation, to help fund scholarships to Maine’s only law school.
In recognition of our 50th anniversary and in keeping with our commitment to expand access to legal services, the firm has committed to give $50,000 to the endowment campaign presently underway for Pine Tree Legal Assistance. Pine Tree provides free legal assistance to low income individuals throughout Maine. Apart from the value of our pro bono legal services, which we will continue to provide to indigent clients and civic organizations, this is the largest donation the firm has ever made and is a fitting way to celebrate an important milestone in the firm’s history.
When we contribute funding to legal aid organizations, our contribution benefits all of Maine. Maine’s legal aid organizations combat elder abuse, help Mainers secure adequate, safe housing, provide access to education, work for equal opportunity employment, and advocate for the needy in the Legislature. Our legal aid organizations make Maine a better place for all to live. We are very proud of our record as a leading provider of pro bono legal services in our communities and of this significant financial gift in support of Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
