From left to right: Kris Moon (JBF COO), Fred Seegal (Chair of the Board), David H. Bernstein, Maurizio Levi-Minzi, Que Newbill, Tricia Sherno, Tigist Kassuhan, Mary Beth Hogan, Ben Pedersen, Morgan Hayes, Mica Michelle Rollock and Vivian DePietro

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP was honored at the 2019 James Beard Foundation Gala for the firm’s outstanding legal support of the Foundation.

The James Beard Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. The Foundation promotes Good Food for Good™, and for more than 30 years has highlighted the centrality of food culture in our daily lives.

Debevoise has proudly supported the Foundation since 2006, providing more than 2,100 hours of pro bono legal services in areas including contracts, corporate governance, data privacy, employment law and intellectual property. Retired partner Woodrow Campbell has served as Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2012 and Chair Emeritus from 2012 to 2019, while partner David W. Rivkin has served as a board trustee since 2013.

In his remarks at the Gala, Mr. Rivkin said, “We are thrilled and humbled by this honor. It is a privilege to help JBF perform its outstanding work and that itself is an honor for which we do not need any recognition.”

Debevoise lawyers have been dedicated to public service since the firm was founded in 1931. Debevoise takes on a large number of pro bono matters each year ranging from landmark international and national disputes to representing not-for-profit organizations and low-income individuals in the communities in which we live and practice. Debevoise is regularly among the top firms in The American Lawyer’s annual pro bono survey and “A-List,” which is based in part on commitment to pro bono legal service.