Dedicated to justice for all
Lightfoot is committed to pro bono work, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because pro bono matters allow our younger attorneys to gain valuable experience with clients and in the courtroom. Through the provision of pro bono legal services, we aim to support the important goal of equal access to justice for all citizens — and we’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves.
From our most senior partner to our newest associate, our attorneys donate their time and talent to provide legal assistance to those in need. Whether in small claims court or death penalty appeals, our lawyers have handled a wide variety of pro bono matters and are often called upon by local judges to take over such cases on the eve of trial.
Our pro bono work includes:
Our attorneys regularly participate in Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham, which provides legal service to low-income residents. Lightfoot also sponsors the program’s Veterans Help Desk, where attorneys help local veterans with various legal matters.
Our lawyers devote their time and skills through the Equal Justice Initiative, which provides legal counsel to impoverished people who have been treated unfairly by the justice system.
Through our trial program with the Office of the Federal Public Defender in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, our lawyers are occasionally appointed “Special Assistant Federal Public Defenders” in cases where we can be of assistance.
The local federal court frequently calls upon our firm to represent indigent community members in these kinds of cases.
Occasionally, a judge or panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit will ask us to represent a party on appeal.
Committed to our communities
We love where we live, and we’re dedicated to making our communities a better place for everyone. Being an engaged and supportive community member is an integral part of “the Lightfoot Way,” from Birmingham to Houston.
Our firm regularly supports and volunteers for charities and organizations, such as:
Each year, Lightfoot assembles a team to host a downtown lemonade stand and raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. The firm is consistently recognized as a top fundraising team.
We have raised thousands of dollars to fulfill dreams for local children through Magic Moments, a wish-granting organization devoted to children with chronic life-threatening diseases in Alabama. Several lawyers have also volunteered with the organization and served on its Board of Directors.
Lightfoot proudly sponsors the annual Noojin and White Race to the Courthouse 5K. The event is the second-oldest road race in the Birmingham community and benefits the local YMCA. The race honors Lightfoot founding partner Jere White and Ronnie Noojin, a founding member of the Noojin, Haley and Ashford law firm, who both died after battling cancer.
Lightfoot also hosts an annual women’s networking event for female business leaders across the Birmingham community. Previous gatherings have focused on recognizing women leaders from Birmingham’s culinary scene and promoting the revitalization of the city’s urban core.
The Birmingham Business Journal has also recognized us as a “Veteran-Friendly Employer,” with nearly a dozen veteran employees — from attorneys to staff members — representing nearly every branch of the armed forces.
We also believe in serving our communities when they need it most. That’s why our Houston office dedicated time to serve those recovering in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Our firm regularly participates in annual school supplies drives for Birmingham City Schools, and our lawyers have volunteered with school literacy events like Birmingham Reads Day.
