Sidley Austin partner John G. Levi has been elected board chairman of the Legal Services Corp., which is the largest single provider of civil legal assistance to the poor in the nation.
Following his election April 7, Levi was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy during a ceremony at The Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Â He will continue as a partner at Sidley Austin during his tenure as LSC board chair, according to a press release.
“John has a long and distinguished career of service to the legal profession and advocacy on behalf of the community and those in need of legal services,†said Thomas A. Cole, chair of the firm’s executive committee. “On behalf of the entire firm, I congratulate John on this well-deserved achievement.â€
Levi was nominated to the 11-member board of directors last August by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate.
Levi has played a key role in many of Sidley’s pro bono programs, including its corporate partnership with Chicago public school Gerald Delgado Kanoon Magnet Elementary School.
Levi practices in Sidley’s labor, employment and immigration practice. He represents a wide range of professional and financial services firms and corporations in employment and labor matters.
LSC operates as an independent non-profit corporation that promotes “equal access to justice†and provides grants for civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. Approximately $420 million in grants is provided annually and go to 136 nonprofit legal services programs around the country.