Biglaw, Dewey & LeBoeuf, Disasters / Emergencies, Heller Ehrman

Humanitarian Crises in Myanmar and China: What's Your Firm Doing?

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Props to our friends over at Dewey & LeBoeuf. Sure, Denim Day is great at all, and their wine-and-cheese events sound like a lot — maybe too much — fun.
But DL also thinks of the less fortunate. From an internal email that went around recently:

As news of the devastation in China and Myanmar spreads, and in support of our colleagues and clients in Asia, we recognize a responsibility to support and assist the many thousands of individuals and families in need at this time. Current news reports suggest that the massive earthquake in the Sichuan province of China has already claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people, with numbers that could soar to as many as 50,000. The deadly cyclone of the Myanmar delta region has already claimed over 75,000 lives, with more than 55,000 people still missing and over 1 million people in need of aid.

The firm will match all donations made by our lawyers and administrative staff up to $200,000 to the following four funds designated for relief in China and Myanmar….

Perhaps other law firms are undertaking similar efforts? If your firm is, feel free to note that in the comments.
The complete Dewey & LeBoeuf email, including links to four relief organizations that you can support, appears after the jump.
Update: As noted in the comments, Heller Ehrman is one of the firms stepping up to the plate. The firm is matching employee donations to the Red Cross up to a total of $50,000. Memo after the jump.


DEWEY & LEBOEUF — MEMORANDUM — MATCHING PROGRAM FOR MYANMAR AND CHINA RELIEF EFFORTS
To: DL Global Personnel
As news of the devastation in China and Myanmar spreads, and in support of our colleagues and clients in Asia, we recognize a responsibility to support and assist the many thousands of individuals and families in need at this time. Current news reports suggest that the massive earthquake in the Sichuan province of China has already claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people, with numbers that could soar to as many as 50,000. The deadly cyclone of the Myanmar delta region has already claimed over 75,000 lives, with more than 55,000 people still missing and over 1 million people in need of aid.
The firm will match all donations made by our lawyers and administrative staff up to $200,000 to the following four funds designated for relief in China and Myanmar (additional information is available by visiting the included Web site links):
Save the Children
CARE
Red Cross Society of China
Action Against Hunger
If you are interested in making a personal contribution, please send your check (made payable to one of the organizations listed above) to [xxxx] in the New York office (for lawyers and staff in our US offices) and [xxxx] in the London office (for lawyers and staff in our international offices). Please make all donations by Friday, May 23. We will forward your checks, as well as our matching check, to the appropriate fund as quickly as possible.
Thank you in advance for your contributions.
HELLER EHRMAN — MEMORANDUM — MATCHING PROGRAM FOR CHINA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
From: Scott, Brad
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:40 AM
To: Scott, Brad
Subject: China Earthquake Relief
By now you will have read and seen of the devastation in Sichuan China from a massive earthquake and aftershocks. According to the latest reports, more than 12,000 people have died and many more have been injured or are missing. Homes, schools and workplaces have been destroyed across the province.
Firms, companies and individuals are responding around the globe to provide emergency and long-term relief and support to the people of Sichuan. Many of you have asked what you and the firm can do to help. As part of that effort, the Heller Ehrman Charitable Foundation will make a direct donation.
In addition to that donation, the firm will match employee donations to the Red Cross up to a total of $50,000. Employees wishing to make a donation should make checks payable to the Red Cross in their home country:
* American Red Cross – China Earthquake Relief 2008 (U.S.)
* Red Cross Society of China (China)
* British Red Cross (London)
Checks should be forwarded no later than Friday, May 30 to Miriam Sheller in Human Resources. We will then compile and send those checks along with the firm’s matching contribution.
Of course, any contribution by employees is completely voluntary. There are many outstanding relief organizations and everyone should feel free to respond in the way he or she feels is most appropriate.
A disaster of this scale reminds us of how fortunate we are to be in a position to help. I thank each of you in advance for your generous and heartfelt response.
Best,
Brad Scott
Chief Operating Officer

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