Kramer Levin was one of the first firms to create a structured program for summer associates to devote a significant portion of their time to hands-on pro bono work. Rather than splitting the summer with an outside organization, summer associates take on significant pro bono projects, under the direct supervision of Kramer Levin lawyers, as part of their regular work with the firm.
Summer associates team with attorneys to represent refugees from around the world who have been persecuted for their religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnic identity. In recent years, summer associates have helped win asylum for dozens of clients, including a Belarusian lesbian attacked and nearly killed by government officials, a Tibetan refugee who survived torture, and a young Gambian girl who was the victim of female genital mutilation.
Summer associates act as lead counsel, under the supervision of senior lawyers, representing low-income individuals seeking Social Security disability benefits. Each summer associate gathers and reviews medical evidence, prepares the client’s direct examination, submits letter briefs, and conducts a hearing before an administrative law judge. We have won benefits for dozens of claimants over more than 20 years conducting this program.
Summer associates have handled a variety of other pro bono projects — including preparing a will for a low-income elderly client, implementing an uncontested divorce, and representing a nonprofit organization or low-income artist in a transactional matter. Summer associates also pitch in on other active firm pro bono projects — and have assisted on some of our highest-profile matters, including the New York marriage rights litigation, our representation of Guantánamo detainees and our class action on behalf of homeless children with asthma.