Press Release
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Olivia Thomas
12.16.10
Los Angeles—Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and Chivas USA of Major League Soccer teamed up with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) this fall to host a series of career panels directed at youths attending five middle schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The career panels are paired with academic challenges that work together to promote the importance of setting goals and staying in school.
This is the second year that Pillsbury and its clients Chivas USA and LAUSD have joined forces to promote education by hosting career panels. This year's program will impact more than 1,250 middle school students, which is an age group that experts say academic and social pressure start to take hold.
"Pillsbury believes that good citizenship is good business, and we actively look for opportunities to partner with clients to share talents and resources that benefit our community," said Bill Waller, Managing Partner of Pillsbury's Los Angeles office. "This effort is especially gratifying because it gives our attorneys and Chivas USA players and executives an opportunity to personally interact with students and share our experiences, as well as provide incentives for setting and reaching goals."
To maximize the impact of each career panel, school representatives have identified high-risk students to attend assemblies that are led by Pillsbury attorneys and Chivas USA players and management. Additionally, each school has set academic goals that students are to complete by next spring. To motivate and inspire students to succeed in achieving their goals, Chivas USA will reward two students from each campus with field seats to the team's 2011 opening home game.
"Pillsbury understands what a huge role education has played in the lives of our players, coaches, staff and executives," said Chivas USA's Sr. Manager of Community Relations Nadia Gonzalez. "This collaboration builds on the passion that both organizations have for children and education and helps make a meaningful difference in the community."
About Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Pillsbury is a full-service law firm with market-leading strengths in the energy, financial services, real estate and technology sectors. With a presence in the world's major financial and technology centers, Pillsbury counsels clients on all aspects of global business and litigation. We work in multidisciplinary teams that allow us to anticipate trends and bring a 360-degree perspective to complex business and legal issues—helping clients to take greater advantage of new opportunities and better mitigate risk. This collaborative work style helps produce the results our clients seek.
About Chivas USA
Founded in 2004, Los Angeles-based Club Deportivo Chivas USA has achieved remarkable success in just four full seasons in Major League Soccer. In 2008, the Mexican-owned club qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third year in a row, to the delight of its passionate supporters. In addition, Chivas USA's innovative grassroots programs demonstrate its deep commitment to the Southern California community, while the club's youth teams and Soccer Academies offer unprecedented opportunities to the region's best young talent. For more information on Chivas USA, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.