CHICAGO (June 15, 2012) – To celebrate 100 years of service nationally, and 10 years locally, the Chicago office of law firm Perkins Coie made a special $10,000 charitable contribution to Lawrence Hall Youth Services, one of the oldest and most innovative child welfare agencies in Illinois. The firm hosted a special event to present the gift and celebrate 10 years of success at the Chicago History Museum on June 6, 2012. 

"It has been an incredible experience opening and growing the Chicago office over the last 10 years" said Chris Wilson, who has served as Chicago Office Managing Partner since the firm opened the Chicago office in 2002.  "We are also honored to celebrate this milestone along with Lawrence Hall Youth Services. Lawrence Hall has made a tremendous difference in the lives of Chicago's young people who are facing some of the most extraordinary challenges. We are thrilled to support their amazing work."

Lawrence Hall Youth Services is a leading child welfare agency established in 1865, which provides high-quality, evidence-based treatment and services to youth and their families. The organization’s unique continuum of care is designed to develop self-worth, knowledge and skills youth and families need to lead independent and productive lives. It supports this mission through a combination of government grants and contracts, private support, and allocations from the United Way of Chicago and Episcopal Charities.  

"We are very honored to receive this generous gift from Perkins Coie and thankful for their support," said Mary H. Hollie, Chief Executive Officer at Lawrence Hall Youth Services. "This allows us to continue providing a unique continuum of care and innovative services to nearly 1,000 youth and families in our care, as they overcome past traumas, find their voices, and take positive steps to create successful futures.”

Attorneys and staff in the Chicago office will also participate in a gardening service project on Friday, June 22 at the Lawrence Hall. The volunteers will roll up their sleeves to plant a hosta garden and three trees in the front of the school.   

The law firm currently known as Perkins Coie LLP was founded in Seattle on May 1, 1912 by former U.S. District Court Judge George Donworth and former U.S. Attorney Elmer Todd. Over the years, Perkins Coie has evolved from serving a small number of key clients such as Boeing and Puget Sound Energy, which remain clients today, to representing a full range of companies - from start-ups to FORTUNE 100 corporations. The firm practices in more than 100 areas of law and in a wide array of industries.

Perkins Coie opened its Chicago office in June 2002. Over the past 10 years, the Chicago office has grown from three attorneys to nearly 100 covering a wide range of practices and industries, including, complex commercial litigation, corporate investigations, intellectual property, real estate, private equity, executive compensation, federal and state tax, and complex financings, among many other specialty practices.