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Monday, November 14, 2005
Law - Pro bono work: Winston & Strawn LLP's free defense of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan
Last Thursday the ILB posted an entry about issues surrounding the pro bono work of Chicago-based firm of Jenner & Block. Today, it is Chicago-based Winston & Strawn, but with an entirely different focus. The headline to the story in Crain's Chicago Business is: "Saving client Ryan: a $10-million mission - Meter runs on Winston as trial ace Webb defends ex-guv gratis." Some quotes:
Winston & Strawn LLP's free defense of former Gov. George Ryan, led by top-gun trial lawyer Dan Webb, has cost the firm more than $10 million so far, an unprecedented instance of largesse that's drawing both cheers and gasps from the legal community.The $10-million-plus figure comes from Winston's chairman, former Gov. James R. Thompson, who terms the bill "huge" and says it is sure to rise substantially in "the months yet to go" in Mr. Ryan's trial on federal corruption charges. More than a dozen Winston attorneys have pitched in on the case since Mr. Ryan was charged in 2003.
Mr. Thompson describes the remarkable expense — 2% of the firm's annual revenue — as a matter of honor, and suggests the decision to forgo hourly billings and pick up the other costs of the trial will help Winston gain business in the future. "We don't walk away from clients," Mr. Thompson says. "Winston & Strawn doesn't shy away from tough cases."
Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 14, 2005 12:49 PM
Posted to General Law Related