Baker Donelson has appointed David Folds to serve as Pro Bono Committee Office Chair for the Firm's Washington, D.C. office.

As the Washington, D.C. Pro Bono Committee Office Chair, Mr. Folds will work to identify and address local pro bono needs while coordinating with Baker Donelson Pro Bono Shareholder Samuel T. Bowman for global pro bono initiatives.

"Meeting the specific needs for pro bono services in each of our local markets is a key element in ensuring Baker Donelson is addressing broader needs across our geographic footprint," said Mr. Bowman. "David is among the many talented and committed people we have at Baker Donelson who are enthusiastic about strengthening our communities by providing vital legal services to the underserved. Because of the leadership that David and our other office chairs bring, I believe our Pro Bono Committee is second to none, and I look forward to working with them in our ongoing efforts to offer pro bono services to those who need it most."

A shareholder in the Firm's Washington, D.C. office, Mr. Folds represents financial institutions, commercial and retail landlords, franchisors, trade creditors, asset purchasers and other entities in all aspects of bankruptcy proceedings. He has served on the board of directors of the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and has been recognized for his pro bono work with D.C. Bar Pro Bono Honors and the Capital Pro Bono High Honor Roll and Honor Roll.

Through its commitment to pro bono representation, Baker Donelson provides legal services to groups and individuals whose resources are limited. For decades, the Firm's attorneys have provided a variety of counsel to many underserved populations that have had no options for legal representation. Baker Donelson's efforts include work on a wide range of matters, such as advocating for the homeless and organizations that serve the homeless, providing corporate legal services to non-profit organizations, collaborating with our clients to address particular community needs, and much more. The Firm has been instrumental in efforts such as expanding the Homeless Experience Legal Protection (HELP) program across the Southeast; creating courts dedicated to handling minor legal matters common among the homeless; assisting persons of limited means with obtaining driver's licenses, an essential need in helping these individuals reintegrate into society; and spearheading and organizing volunteer lawyer programs across Baker Donelson's footprint.

Baker Donelson has led the way in the legal industry by being one of the first law firms in the Southeast to create a Pro Bono Committee and designate a Pro Bono Shareholder. To further its commitment to pro bono, Baker Donelson also designates Pro Bono Committee Office Chairs in most of its 21 offices. These chairs are best suited to address local needs while coordinating with the Firm's Pro Bono Shareholder for global pro bono initiatives. This structure ensures Baker Donelson is well-suited to further its goal of addressing broad spectrum needs across the Firm's footprint and beyond.