Sonnenschein Celebrates 100th Anniversary
March 31, 2006
Law firm observes centennial by helping to make a difference through education
(CHICAGO, March 31, 2006)—Law firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP tomorrow will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding on April 1, 1906. During the past century, Sonnenschein has grown from three lawyers in a one-room office in Chicago to more than 700 attorneys and other professionals in ten cities across the United States. It is now the 48th largest law firm in the country, according to American Lawyer magazine.
“Our centennial is a time to reflect on the history and accomplishments of the firm and its people. But it also marks the beginning of what each of us intends will be another 100 years of outstanding service to our clients and communities,” said Duane C. Quaini, Sonnenschein chairman. “We can think of no better way to commemorate such a meaningful anniversary than through a significant contribution of time and other resources to innovative education initiatives that will truly make a difference in the lives of future generations.”
As a centerpiece of its centennial celebration, Sonnenschein has founded Legacy Charter School in Chicago’s North Lawndale community, one of the most economically distressed areas in the city. The school opened its doors on August 1, 2005, with approximately 230 students in pre-kindergarten through second grade; at full enrollment, expected in 2013, it will serve about 450 students through eighth grade. The firm provides financial and management support to the school, and its attorneys and staff are involved in the lives of its students in a variety of ways including activities such as tutoring and mentoring. Forbes magazine, which featured the Legacy initiative in its March 13, 2006 issue, notes that Sonnenschein is “quite likely the first law firm in the nation to run a charter school.”
Other educational efforts for the centennial are under way in Sonnenschein offices around the country. These include partnerships with:
- Niles Home Preparatory School, an alternative school serving special needs children in the Kansas City, Mo., area
- CALS Early College High School, a charter school located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles
- St. Louis for Kids, an organization that promotes the availability of quality after-school programs throughout the St. Louis region
- San Francisco Community School, a small and innovative teacher-run school located in the Excelsior district
- Everybody Wins! literacy program and Marie-Reed Learning Center in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
- 826NYC, an organization in Brooklyn, New York, designed to help students ages 6-18 develop their creative and expository writing skills.
In addition, Sonnenschein has created the Sonnenschein Scholars Foundation to fund, manage and direct a public service program involving first-year law school students. Over the next five years, two students each from 25 top law schools nationwide will be selected annually to receive summer stipends that will help underwrite their work with a public interest agency of their choice. The first class of Sonnenschein Scholars will be announced in April.
During its centennial year, Sonnenschein also will expand the Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) program to New York and San Francisco. The firm is leading the national development of KEEN, which already has robust programs in Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Washington. These programs provide free recreational opportunities to children and young adults with disabilities by pairing them with trained volunteers for fun, noncompetitive activities.
Sonnenschein, with more than 700 attorneys and other professionals in ten U.S. cities and a global reach, serves the legal needs of many of the world’s largest and best-known businesses, nonprofits and individuals. For more information, visit www.sonnenschein.com/centennial.
Media Contact:
Linda Butler
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
(312) 876-3453
LButler@sonnenschein.com
