We are thrilled to announce Loeb & Loeb LLP as our Law Firm of the Year, celebrating their commitment to pro bono volunteerism, ICLS’s clients, and our LGBTQIA+ services program.
Loeb is an instrumental thought partner across several pro bono projects, with over 20 volunteers contributing nearly 150 hours of service over the past year.
With the help of Loeb attorneys and their corporate clients, ICLS launched our first Advance Health Care Directive Clinic for LGBTQIA+ residents to ensure that gender-diverse people retain agency over their medical wishes and have their identities respected during times of emergency.
Amongst our LGBTQIA+ constituents, it is not uncommon for relatives to authorize care that goes against a client’s expressed wishes. In many instances, transgender and gender non-conforming patients are misgendered, deadnamed, and even buried in non-affirming clothing, contrary to how they wish to be remembered.
With Loeb’s support, we are helping our community live authentically and advancing health care equity for all LGBTQIA+ individuals. “At Loeb, we support the LGBTQIA+ community and we are thrilled to have members of our Pride Affinity Group and firm allies participate in this signature pro bono initiative. Our lawyers are able to apply their legal skills and demonstrate their support for the community,” shared Loeb Senior Counsel and ICLS Volunteer, Sasha M. Bass.
Expanding the impact, Loeb has also integrated corporate client partners, Paramount Global and TransUnion, into the clinic, Loeb lawyers offer to meet clients outside of the clinic structure to accommodate scheduling needs, and Loeb also regularly provides guidance on legal developments ensuring the clinic follows best practices in an evolving legal environment.
Beyond that, Loeb attorneys have also volunteered with ICLS’s Small Business Clinic and provided essential organizational support to ICLS, helping ensure that we are best suited to meet the needs of our communities. They enhanced our operational strategies, strengthened ICLS infrastructure, and supported employee welfare, which has been essential in maintaining a supportive and well-informed work environment.
In describing our collaboration, ICLS Pro Bono Director Matt Kugizaki said “Loeb is a true thought partner, just a call or email away whenever we have any questions about directives or thoughts on how we can better serve the LGBTQIA+ community.”
We are so proud of what we’ve achieved through this collaboration, and we are endlessly grateful for Loeb’s continued impact and support.