Gibson Dunn & ADL Launch Nationwide Pro Bono Network: 40+ Law Firms Unite to Fight Surging Antisemitism
New York, NY – In a landmark move amid a 5% spike in antisemitic incidents last year, powerhouse law firm Gibson Dunn has teamed up with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to debut the ADL Legal Action Network – a national pro bono powerhouse connecting victims to over 39,000 lawyers across 35 U.S. states. This national pro bono network antisemitism initiative, announced October 29, 2025, promises free legal firepower against hate, from campus harassment to workplace discrimination.
Picture this: A Jewish student cornered by campus agitators, or a professional sidelined for their heritage – now, one call to ADL could summon elite counsel at no cost. The network formalizes and supercharges the ADL Gibson Dunn partnership, evolving from the 2023 Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL), which fielded nearly 1,000 reports from 230 campuses and sparked civil rights probes and prosecutions.
Powered by cutting-edge AI, the system triages reports swiftly, routing cases to a steering committee of top firms including Cooley, Covington & Burling, Morgan Lewis, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer. Lawyers then dive into interviews, assessing claims under Title VI and other laws for pro bono representation. Over 40 firms have signed on as co-counsel or referral partners, creating an “unprecedented legal firewall,” per Gibson Dunn partner Orin Snyder.
This antisemitism legal network builds on ADL’s litigation boom – the group has filed more lawsuits in recent years than in its prior 110-year history, targeting neo-Nazis, universities failing to curb harassment, and even businesses denying equal treatment. Post-October 7, 2023, ADL has championed victims of that terror attack in justice quests and invoked Title VI against schools and districts ignoring hate.
Gibson Dunn, a global titan with 1,800+ lawyers, brings its robust pro bono muscle – firmwide contributions topped 200,000 hours last year alone. “We’re dramatically expanding capabilities to support Jewish Americans nationwide,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt declared, emphasizing direct access to counsel anywhere in the country.
The backdrop is grim: ADL tallied 9,354 antisemitic acts in 2024, up from prior years, fueled by online vitriol, protests veering into threats, and everyday bigotry. CALL’s success – aiding over 260 schools in 39 states – proved the model, but this nationwide rollout addresses gaps beyond academia, like K-12 woes or corporate bias.
Experts hail it as a game-changer. “Big Law is meeting the moment,” says a National Law Journal analysis, spotlighting how firms like Paul Weiss, Jones Day, and Mayer Brown have joined similar fights, securing settlements against institutions that turned a blind eye. Public reactions pour in: Jewish advocates on social media call it “a lifeline,” with one X user posting, “Finally, real teeth against hate – no more impunity.” Critics, however, note tensions; some firms face White House pressure on pro bono picks, yet leaders like Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward praise the “pro-democracy” pivot.
For U.S. readers, this pro bono antisemitism initiative strikes at the heart of a polarized society. It safeguards economic stability by protecting Jewish professionals in finance and tech hubs, where bias could derail careers and innovation. Politically, it amplifies calls for accountability amid election-year rhetoric; lifestyle-wise, it fosters safer schools and communities for families nationwide. In sports and entertainment, ADL’s past suits against discriminatory venues echo here – think equal access to arenas without fear. Ultimately, it bolsters civil rights for all, curbing hate’s ripple effects on national unity.
The network launches immediately, with victims urged to report via ADL’s portal. As antisemitism legal efforts intensify, expect more high-stakes cases, AI refinements, and firm buy-ins – a blueprint for battling bias in America’s diverse tapestry.
In summary, the Gibson Dunn ADL pro bono network marks a bold escalation in the war on antisemitism, channeling elite legal might to shield the vulnerable. Future outlook: Widespread adoptions, landmark wins, and a stronger shield against hate’s spread, ensuring justice rolls forward.
By Sam Michael
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