Walmart legal dept. to offer services to Ark. community

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Walmart announced that its legal department plans to undertake an in-house pro bono program in which its attorneys, paralegals, and support staff will participate in legal aid projects in the Arkansas community. In doing so, Walmart has become the 100th signatory to the national Corporate Pro Bono Challenge, a voluntary benchmark developed and administered by Corporate Pro Bono, a partnership project of the Pro Bono Institute and the Association of Corporate Counsel, designed to encourage and promote pro bono service with in-house lawyers and legal departments.

In addition, the Walmart legal department and the Walmart Foundation announced a $115,000 donation to Legal Aid of Arkansas and the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission.

"Our pro bono effort is a natural extension of our company's overall belief in being a good corporate citizen," said Jeff Gearhart, EVP and general counsel of Walmart. "Helping to ensure that access to legal services is a reality for all of our citizens, regardless of their ability to pay, is consistent with Walmart's commitment to making a difference in the communities that we serve."