Maryland Law Firm Donates $12.5 Million to HBCUs After Long Battle with State
A law firm that represented several HBCUs across Maryland during a 15-year-lawsuit against the state, is donating a total of $12.5 million to the schools and nonprofits. The large donation comes from the fees the law firm was awarded in the settlement.
The Kirkland & Ellis law firm, led by Michael D. Jones, represented alumni and supporters of Maryland’s HBCUs to address the issue of “systemic underfunding of the schools by the state government,” according to The Washington Post. The almost two-decade lawsuit was finally settled this year once state lawmakers implemented extra funding for HBCUs in future state budgets. According to court documents, Maryland agreed to pay $22 million in legal fees and costs, with $12.5 million going to Kirkland & Ellis. The remainder went to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, which provided legal representation for several plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
Jones said in a statement, “So many of us become lawyers to fight injustice and give our clients a fair shake not only in the courtroom but also in society. This case has allowed me and my colleagues to do just that. I’m gratified by this entire experience, including knowing that this donation will go directly to helping future lawyers gain valuable experience and to fight for justice for others.” Due to the firm taking on the case pro bono, they decided to return the settlement to the schools.
The donations include the following:
$5 million to the Dillard University’s Center for Racial Justice
$3 million to Morgan State University’s Robert M. Bell Center for Civil Rights
$2 million for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law
$1 million for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in the Higher Education
$250,000 to the African Methodist Episcopal Church Second District
$600,000 to the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education
$600,000 for Howard University’s Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center