It’s a Grand Slam as Akin Gump Inks Five-Year Agreement to Support the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy

(Washington, D.C.) – Akin Gump announced today that it has signed on to continue its sponsorship of the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy with a commitment of $225,000 delivered over the next five years. Akin Gump is the first law firm to make a multiyear commitment to support the Academy.

The gift will allow the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy to advance its mission to better the lives of young people from underserved communities in Washington, D.C. by using baseball and softball as ways to promote positive character development, academic achievement and improved health. Through afterschool and summer programming, the Academy not only teaches its Scholar Athletes baseball and softball but also provides academic support and food education, placing local youth on a path to success.

Over the past five years, Akin Gump lawyers have donated more than 700 hours of pro bono assistance to the Academy and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. Beyond its pro bono work and financial support, the firm also helped create the Legal Mushball Classic, a softball charity game that brings D.C.-area law and legal services firms together to compete for a good cause. The annual tournament has raised $715,000 over the last five years in support of the Academy’s mission.

“The Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and Dream Foundation do exceptional work throughout our community, and we could not be more proud to continue our support of their efforts,” stated Tony Pierce, partner in charge of Akin Gump’s Washington, D.C. office. “As a baseball fan myself, it’s exciting to be able to support an organization that is using the sport to enrich the lives of young people across the D.C. region.”

“The Washington Nationals strive to become a civic partner to everyone interested in making a positive difference in our region and a leading philanthropic organization in professional sports,” noted Tal Alter, Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. “This significant commitment from Akin Gump fuels our on-the-ground efforts at the Academy – where we are building meaningful relationships everyday with our Scholar Athletes and the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Akin Gump has twice been recognized by the Washington Nationals, the 2019 National League champions, for its support and work on behalf of the Academy and Dream Foundation. (Learn more here.) 

Steve Schulman, Akin Gump’s pro bono partner, commented, “The work of the Academy has a tremendous impact on the lives of children from the most underserved communities in Washington. It is our hope that this pledge motivates other firms to join the Academy's lineup.”

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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