As protests against police brutality and racial injustice swept the nation following the murder of George Floyd last spring, law firms devoted their resources—pro bono, financial and otherwise—to the cause. Within a month of Floyd’s death, more than 125 firms had joined the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, and dozens launched racial justice task forces and initiatives in 2020. The matters firms took on show the breadth of their effort, as well as the breadth of injustice.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld represented two Texas students with locs in fighting their school’s hair grooming policy. A team of Choate, Hall & Stewart attorneys provided a report on potential new policies and best practices to combat racism in the Boston Police Department, including the use of body cameras and civilian review boards.