Visitors to New York’s Times Square may be in for an unusual sight starting Friday, October 17 — a Morrison & Foerster lawyer’s name in lights — along with that of popular hip-hop artist Missy Elliott.
It’s all part of Lifetime Television’s Times Square Project, which each week uses special signs and tickers around Times Square to salute one woman, one man and a nonprofit organization taking a stand to stop violence against women. The man being honored this week is Paul Friedman, a San Francisco-based senior litigation partner at MoFo who chairs the charitable Morrison & Foerster Foundation. Under Mr. Friedman’s leadership, the Foundation has helped Break the Cycle, a non-profit organization promoting domestic-abuse awareness, as it expands its operations nationally from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and New York City.
“I am honored to recognize Morrison & Foerster’s contribution to the movement to end domestic violence,” said Meredith Blake, Executive Director of Break the Cycle. “The firm demonstrated visionary leadership by signing on as Break the Cycle’s charter National Founding Partner and by providing significant funds to support our national expansion. By taking a stand against abuse and partnering with Break the Cycle, Morrison & Foerster has dedicated itself to a safe and healthy future for youth across the nation.”
Lifetime TV’s messages will appear on three electronic billboards: NASDAQ’s eight-story cylindrical screen that wraps around the Condé Nast Building at Broadway and 43rd Street; the Hershey’s running ticker on their enormous multi-media display at 48th Street and Broadway; and the Reuters 12-screen billboard fronting their 3 Times Square headquarters. The text will read: “Lifetime joins Break the Cycle in a salute to Missy Elliott and Paul Friedman for working together to stop violence against women. To learn more, go to lifetimetv.com.” Ms. Elliott has signed on as national spokesperson for Break the Cycle.
Lifetime TV will also air a taped salute between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. ET/PT on Friday, October 17.
“I am thrilled to be recognized for such a terrific cause, but the honor is really for Morrison & Foerster and The Morrison & Foerster Foundation,” said Mr. Friedman.
The Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded chiefly by Morrison & Foerster to support worthy causes in the communities served by the firm, gave away nearly $1.5 million in 2002. The principal areas to which the firm contributes are Legal Aid, Children, Food & Shelter, Health and Scholarships. In addition, the Foundation provides matching funds for donations by the firm’s lawyers, legal assistants and staff.
