We believe that being responsible citizens of the world requires us to support the communities in which we work and live in meaningful ways, ones that support and improve the well-being of people of all walks of life. We understand that social responsibility encompasses not merely money and goods donated, but our contribution of time, resources and expertise to community service, diversity and inclusion initiatives, pro bono work, sustainability and renewable energy. Our actions benefit our connected world today and for future generations.
Leading the Way
Our history of social responsibility activism starts at home.
We are one of the very few law firms anywhere to have not one, but two successive female managing partners, Elizabeth J. Stewart (2009-2014) and Jennifer Morgan DelMonico (2015-2020). Both Elizabeth and Jennifer have also served as past Chairs of the Litigation Department.
Similarly, the firm was one of the first in Connecticut to subscribe to the Connecticut Association’s Pledge of Gender Equity. We were a founding member of the Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunities (CABO), the State’s first and only Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Chamber of Commerce.
Serving our Communities
Murtha Cullina participates in the following legal, civic and philanthropic institutions:
- Anti-Defamation League
- Boston Bar Foundation
- Boston Chamber of Commerce
- Community Foundation of Greater New Haven
- Connecticut Veterans Legal Center
- Greater Boston Legal Services
- Greater Hartford Legal Aid Foundation
- Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce
- Hartford County Bar Foundation
- Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation
- Leadership Fairfield County
- Leadership Greater New Haven
- New Haven Legal Assistance
- New Haven County Bar Foundation
Many of our lawyers participate on boards involved with charitable works, cultural institutions, social and community services, historic preservation, pro bono legal services, renewable energy, child care services, and healthcare institutions, including:
- Connecticut Appleseed
- Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition
- Easter Seals Goodwill Industries
- Friends of New Haven Legal Assistance
- HARC
- Junior Achievement
- Lawyers for Children America
- Planned Parenthood Votes!
- Saugatuck Child Care Services
- South Shore Hospital
- United Way
Additionally, our lawyers and staff support in numerous charitable organizations throughout the year, including:
- Boys and Girls Village
- Center for Children’s Advocacy
- Hands of Hartford’s MANNA Community Meals
- Operation Smile
- reSET (Social Enterprise Trust)
- The May Center (Boston, MA)
Pro Bono Work
Murtha Cullina has a long history of pro bono service. We work with the state-wide legal services programs to handle cases for clients they cannot serve. We also assist various non-profit organizations with their representation of children in juvenile and family court. Our corporate lawyers assist non-profits with governance issues, and we have also assisted organizations like Habitat for Humanity with real estate transactions. Our representation of military veterans has led to awards for our service. We also accept cases for indigent individuals from the federal court. .
Entrepreneur Group
Our Entrepreneur Practice Group gives back to our communities by offering free legal consultations for entrepreneurs and start-up companies. The primary goal of the Entrepreneur Group is to build a supportive community around entrepreneurship. To that end, Murtha Cullina has strong local relationships with community co-working spaces and entrepreneur centers including ReSET (Hartford) and The Grove (New Haven). Murtha Cullina’s entrepreneur attorneys mentor innovators on a daily basis, and at events such as the Innovation Summit, University of Connecticut’s Innovation Quest, as well as in connection with local accelerator programs.
When the Connecticut Legislature passed a bill allowing Benefit Corporations in the State, our Entrepreneur Group served as a great resource to those interested in this unique kind of business. A benefit corporation is a type of business corporation, incorporated under the Connecticut Business Corporation Act, but with a broadened purpose to have a social impact.
