Akin Gump Personnel Travel More Than 41,000 Miles for Stand Against Hate Campaign
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(New York) – Continuing its commitment to supporting organizations fighting for racial justice, over the last month Akin Gump personnel traversed more than 41,000 miles walking, biking and running as part of the firm’s Stand Against Hate campaign.
More than 450 individuals across Akin Gump’s U.S. and international offices participated in the Stand Against Hate campaign, travelling the equivalent of more than one-and-a-half times around the Earth between June 25 and July 25. As a result of the success of the campaign, the firm will make a $50,000 donation—more than $1 for every mile travelled—split between three organizations: the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), Tahirih Justice Center, and Human Rights Watch.
The firm set an initial goal of travelling 25,000 miles over the course of the month, but increased its goal after hitting that target after only three weeks.
“As a firm, we have been proud to stand strongly against all forms of hate and violence, and we are proud of our legacy of advocating for civil rights, justice and equality,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “We felt this was a terrific way of sending a positive message and providing support for three leading organizations doing exceptional work in these areas, while also incorporating wellness into the effort.”
The campaign is part of the firm’s broader efforts to confront and combat hate and systemic racism. Most recently, Akin Gump chair Kim Koopersmith was announced as co-chair of the LDF’s Board of Directors. Ms. Koopersmith has been a longstanding member of LDF’s Board and is, alongside fellow new co-chair Angela Vallot, the first woman to lead the LDF Board. (Learn more here.)
Akin Gump’s Stand Against Hate campaign was conceptualized by the firm’s Black and Asian Firmwide Resource Groups. More about the firm’s resource groups, commitment to racial justice and broader diversity efforts may be found on the firm’s website.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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