This article is part of National Law Journal’s 2018 Pro Bono Hot List recognition package that celebrates law firms that do well by doing good. See the other stories here.

Neal Manne never thought it would be easy. But when Susman Godfrey’s managing partner signed on with two civil rights groups to challenge the bail system in Harris County, Texas, he was surprised by the county’s response. He describes it as “all-out war.”