Head of Sidley Austin’s Pro Bono Joins Legal Services Corporation

On Tuesday, the Legal Services Corporation announced that Ronald S. Flagg has joined the corporation in the position of vice president for legal affairs, general counsel, and corporate secretary. Flagg will assume his office starting from June 3.

Prior to joining the LSC, Ronald Flagg worked as a senior counsel in the Washington, DC office of Sidley Austin LLP , and was the head of the law firm’s pro bono practice. He had been with Sidley for 31 years and is well-known for his strong commitment to social causes.

While in Sidley, Flagg was instrumental in launching a program to provide free legal services for veterans who had disputes over retirement pay, disability benefits and combat related compensation.

In his work for social causes Flagg has shouldered responsibilities like that of being the former chairman of the boards of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Committee, chair of the governing board of the AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly and being the current chairman of the National Veterans Legal Services Program. Flagg is also known for his work as an advocate in reforming the public school system in the District of Columbia.

A man true to his passion of serving the needy, Flagg is supposed to be absorbing a big pay cut to continue doing what he likes with greater scope. Currently, the average profits per partner at Sidley (as of 2012) are $1.8 million, while according to an LSC spokesman, he would be drawing an annual salary of $163,704 at LSC.

Sidley Austin is yet to choose a new head for pro bono to carry on Flagg’s work.

Speaking on Flagg’s appointment, LSC Chairman John G. Levi, who is a partner in the Chicago office of Sidley Austin, said, “I can think of no one who could better fill this role than Ron Flagg … While handling a very successful law practice, Ron has devoted himself to pro bono service to the needy, veterans, the elderly, to DC’s Public School students and many others. LSC is so tremendously fortunate to have Ron assume these responsibilities.

Carter G. Phillips, the Executive Committee Chair of Sidley Austin said, “Ron has been my colleague and partner for more than three decades … LSC will benefit from his wisdom and leadership just as we have … everyone here will miss having his wise counsel available every day.”

Speaking on his decision to join the LSC, Flagg said, “The Legal Services Corporation performs a critical mission in promoting access to justice in our country … I am honored and thrilled to be joining my new colleagues in supporting this mission.”

LSC summed up their press release with LSC President James J. Sandman saying, “Ron is both a lawyer’s lawyer and a leader. Landing him is a coup for LSC.”