Our Involvement
It is a core belief of Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram that as attorneys we have a fundamental obligation to help those in need and to give back to the community. We don’t simply share that belief, we actively carry it out. Whether it entails providing pro bono legal services to the elderly and charitable organizations or contributing financial support to worthy institutions and organizations, we put ourselves at the forefront of helping others because it matters to us. Just as we do when working on behalf of our clients, we utilize our experience to deliver solutions for those in need, because like our passion for the law, our passion for charitable service is part of the fabric of who we are.
Among our many firmwide pro bono and charitable initiatives, we were instrumental in the formation of Sulam, a program that provides children with disabilities the educational resources and therapeutic support necessary to enable them to be mainstreamed in school. We find our pro bono service as Sulam’s general counsel to be very rewarding.
As a proud sponsor of an ACE Mentor Program scholarship, we enjoy the opportunity to enlighten and increase the awareness of high school students to career opportunities in architecture, construction and engineering, and related areas of the design and construction industry. We are also proud to be a Guardian Level Sponsor of the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, which provides free or reduced fee representation in civil legal matters to low-income individuals and non-profits throughout Maryland.
On a personal level, our attorneys are active in the Anti-Defamation League of Bnai Brith, with the mission to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. In particular, Steve Schram has been an important leader in the Washington, DC office of the Anti-Defamation League, where he currently serves as its Regional Chair.
Throughout his career, Judd Lifschitz has occupied many leadership positions in charitable organizations, including service as President of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, as a board member of United Jewish Appeal Federation and the Jewish Community Council, and as a National Vice President of the Young Israel movement.
Ron Shapiro is an advocate for and frequently provides pro bono services to those in need. It is not uncommon to find Ron renegotiating leases or purchase deals on behalf of those about to lose their homes or businesses that find themselves experiencing difficult times.
Others within the firm – both attorneys and staff – give generously and willingly of their time to various volunteer projects, such as working with PAL (People Love Animals), paying visits to seniors and hospitals, and spending time with at risk children. Collectively, we regularly support many charitable fundraising drives including, including:
- Markmakers
- Hebrew Home of Greater Washington
- CREW North Virginia
- Special Operations Warrior Fund
- AYUDA
- Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
- American Heart Association
- Most Valuable Kids, West Point Association of Graduates
- Kidney Foundation, Children’s Hospital
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center – Georgetown University Hospital
- Trust for the National Mall
- Autism Speaks
Helping others is an inherent passion of Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram. Why? Because we know from experience that getting involved is a solution that works. And a dedication to solutions that work – both in practice and in our personal lives – is what Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram is all about.
