Sheppard Mullin Lauded By AID For AIDS International
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has been honored with Aid for AIDS International’s My Hero Award, commemorating the firm's outstanding contribution in the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS. The award was presented at AFAI's annual My Hero Gala on December 1, 2008 in New York City.
The My Hero Award honors individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS around the world. Based on this criterion, Sheppard Mullin has been lauded for its pro bono work provided to AFAI.
AFAI's award recognizes Sheppard Mullin’s commitment to providing legal services to people and community organizations that would not otherwise have access to legal representation. As AFAI's outside general counsel for the last three years, Sheppard Mullin associate Gabriel Matus has been personally recognized for his obligation to the community by providing high-caliber legal services to people of limited means and to charitable and civic organizations. Matus counsels the organization's board on governance and finance matters, as well as manages their international corporate structuring, domestic organizational issues, real estate matters, and labor and employment issues.
"As a pro bono beneficiary, Aid for AIDS International has received invaluable legal services from Gabriel, allowing us to continue our mission and benefiting thousands of individuals all over the world, especially those in developing countries. Gabriel has clearly demonstrated the kind of leadership in this fight that we look to honor with the My Hero Award," stated Jesus Aguais, AFAI's executive director.
"We're proud of Gabriel and the work he's done with Aid for AIDS," said Bob Gerber, chair of Sheppard Mullin's pro bono committee. "Gabriel's efforts are a shining example of what we are doing throughout the firm to benefit the less fortunate around the world."
Fellow award recipients for the 2008 award include the SABMiller Company, fashion photographer Mario Testino, and Argentinean activist Alejandro Pompei.
Aid for AIDS International works to improve the quality of life of people and communities in under-served areas, especially in Latin American and the Caribbean, by providing them with the necessary tools to empower them in the fight against HIV and AIDS. AFAI provides free HIV medications to thousands of people a year, and has developed effective prevention, education and advocacy programs to reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information on Aid for Aids International's programs, visit www.aidforaids.org.
Matus, a member of Sheppard Mullin's Corporate practice group in the firm's New York office, regularly counsels public and private companies in connection with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, executive compensation, corporate governance and a variety of securities law issues. He has also been involved in various bankruptcy-related restructurings and dispositions.
About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 560 attorneys in 11 offices located throughout California and in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanghai. The firm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Santa Barbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego. Founded in 1927 on the principle that the firm would succeed only if its attorneys delivered prompt, high quality and cost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullin provides legal counsel to U.S. and international clients. Companies turn to Sheppard Mullin to handle a full range of corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100 companies.