Sep. 30, 2011

Lawyers from four law firms with offices in Los Angeles teamed up on Sunday for some friendly competition in the 8th annual America Scores LA soccer tournament at the Home Depot Center in Carson. The day-long event served as a fundraiser to support the Los Angeles chapter of the national America Scores program – a nonprofit that offers after-school activities for approximately 400 at-risk students from kindergarten to12th grade. “The legal community in particular has been a huge catalyst for us,” said America Scores LA Executive Director David Joseph. “We’re honored that in the challenging economic climate, this has continued to be a priority.” Participating law firms were Bingham McCutchen LLP, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, McDermott Will & Emery and Hogan Lovells. Joseph said the law firms collectively raised more than $20,000 for the event and noted that contributions received from lawyers in volunteer hours and donations throughout the year were well more than $50,000.  “We always go at it every year,” said Hogan Lovells marketing manager Justin Portaz of the competition that is waged between law firms each year. “There’s hardware to be won.” He said Hogan Lovells has been participating in the event for five years. “Everyone limps back into the office come Monday, but they still want to come out next year,” Portaz said. At the end of the day, Hogan Lovells won first place in the Charnock Division championship over runner-up McDermott Will & Emery, while Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP took first place in the Palms Division championship. Bingham McCutchen took third place in the Charnock Division.  America Scores organizes soccer games and creative writing opportunities for students who are often faced with influences to stray from school. Right now, the program serves students who attend Palm Elementary School, Charnock Road Elementary, Braddock Drive Elementary, Palms Middle School, Venice High School and Hamilton High School but is currently looking to expand. “Part of it is the fact that it’s kid-focused, and I happened to be passionate about soccer,” said McDermott Will & Emery partner Paul A. Carr-Rollitt, who has headed the nonprofit’s legal work since it started in Los Angeles 10 years ago. “It amazes me to seee some of the alumni of the program out here. This program has made such a measurable difference in their lives.” — Casey Sullivan