Debevoise & Plimpton LLP counsel Wendy B. Reilly has been named “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year” by Chambers & Partners, as part of the 2016 Chambers Diversity Awards.
The awards ceremony, held on June 16, 2016, recognized Ms. Reilly for leading Debevoise’s efforts in a class action involving back pay claims for black and Hispanic sheet metal workers in litigation against their union, Local 28 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association, the trade union for sheet metal workers in New York City. On July 21, 2015, the Court approved an estimated $12 million settlement in the case, for nearly 400 class members who were harmed by disparities in work opportunities between Local 28’s white and nonwhite members from 1991 to 2006. This settlement followed a $6.2 million back pay settlement from 2008 that addressed underemployment during the years 1984 to 1991.
Ms. Reilly, who began her career at Debevoise in 2001, has been recognized for her commitment to the underserved in the past. She has been named among New York Law Journal’s 2015 “Lawyers Who Lead by Example.” She is also a 2005 recipient of inMotion’s (now known as “Her Justice”) Commitment to Justice Award, for, in the organization’s words, “demonstrating committed and caring leadership in building inMotion’s pro bono program at her firm,” and offering “supervision, support, mentoring and trouble-shooting on 27
Debevoise & Plimpton matters.” For many years, Ms. Reilly served as the firm’s liaison with the organization, which works on behalf of New York-area women suffering from poverty and abuse.
Ms. Reilly is a member of Debevoise’s Litigation Department. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, including contract and employment disputes, as well as bankruptcy-related litigation and advice, particularly on behalf of investment banking, financial advisory, and asset management clients.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.