Social Responsibility

Robinson Bradshaw is committed to our clients and to the communities in which we do business. Our firm has a strong tradition of public service to a wide range of charitable, professional and community organizations, dating back to our founding in 1960. The firm encourages and supports our lawyers who give back to the community through volunteerism, leadership and financial support.

Community Service

Beyond pro bono work, the firm actively encourages its individuals to pursue service work for organizations that appeal to their unique interests. This is reflected in a diverse set of leadership positions with boards of bar associations, boards of education and various environmental, charitable, religious and civic organizations. To encourage community service, employees are given a day to volunteer at an organization of their choice.

Financial Support

Our firm donates time, as well as our resources by providing financial support through sponsorships, donations and partnerships. Recent examples include a commitment to the Endowment Campaign for the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, a 10-year commitment for the Carolina Theatre renovation project, sponsorship of the 50th Anniversary celebration for the Carolinas Center for Legal Advocacy and donations to organizations including the Women’s Impact Fund, Safe Alliance, Atrium Health Foundation and the Urban Land Institute.

Awards & Recognition

Robinson Bradshaw and our attorneys are frequently recognized for community involvement. Examples of awards and recognition include:

• The American Bar Association's Pro Bono Publico Award
• The North Carolina Bar Association's Law Firm Pro Bono Award
• United Way’s Firm of the Year Award for the Legal Industry Cup Competition in charitable giving
• Outstanding Firm Pro Bono Service Awards from Legal Aid of North Carolina and Council for Children's Rights
• Brent A. Torstrick was the 2019 recipient of the William Thorp Pro Bono Service Award given by the North Carolina Bar Association.
• Will Packard was named the Mecklenburg County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
• John R. Wester received the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award from Legal Aid of North Carolina, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont and Council for Children's Rights.
• Julian H. Wright Jr. and Jason L. Wright received the Outstanding Individual Pro Bono Service Award from Legal Aid of North Carolina-Charlotte.
• Several attorneys have received the Citizen Lawyer Award, presented by the North Carolina Bar Association to lawyers who provide exemplary public service to their communities. Firm recipients include Robert E. Harrington, Brandon M. Lofton, Angelique R. Vincent-Hamacher, John R. Wester and Julian H. Wright Jr.
• Sixteen Robinson Bradshaw attorneys are members of the 2020 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, an initiative of the N.C. Pro Bono Resource Center. Members each reported at least 50 legal service hours provided to pro bono clients last year, an aspirational threshold set by the state's Rules for Professional Conduct. 

Public & Bar Service

Five of our lawyers – Russell M. Robinson II, Robert C. Sink, A. Ward McKeithen, Mark W. Merritt and Robert E. Harrington – have served as president of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association. Robert Sink and Mark Merritt previously served as president of the North Carolina State Bar. And, John R. Wester served as president of the North Carolina Bar Association.

In addition, Richard A. Vinroot was a member of the Charlotte City Council from 1983-91 and mayor of the city of Charlotte from 1991-95. And, Ward McKeithen served as a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education from 1976-88.