Rich Klawiter has made helping others a central part of his legal career since the day he became a lawyer 35 years ago. A real estate development and finance partner at DLA Piper since the mid-1990s, he started his career working full time in legal aid after graduating from Stanford Law School and has carried that commitment to public service forward from the time he started in private practice.
Rich would eventually become the Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Real Estate group and has helped many of his clients develop and build significant projects across the City of Chicago, all the while making pro bono and public service a cornerstone of his practice. His pro bono interests range from representing community economic corporations on land use and zoning matters to representing individual asylum seekers and those who are new arrivals to the United States. Along with all his good work in the Chicago area, Rich has led teams of pro bono attorneys to the U.S.-Mexico border to help women fleeing violence and persecution.
Rich’s passion for pro bono work is infectious. He truly leads by example, encouraging others to get involved in the work that he is so passionate about, and he is always willing to supervise or mentor an associate looking to do so. He has served as the chair of DLA Piper’s pro bono committee for over two decades, and his pro bono leadership extends well beyond the firm. He has twice chaired Legal Aid Chicago’s board of directors and currently serves on the boards of both the National Immigrant Justice Center and Legal Action Chicago.
Rich is deeply respected and admired throughout the legal community in Chicago. As one of his close colleagues put it, “Once you put something on his radar, watch out…He has such a big heart, and he wants everyone to be happy, especially his pro bono clients.” He is genuine, humble, and unwavering in his commitment, making him an ideal recipient of this year’s Edward J. Lewis Pro Bono Service Award.