Press Release
January 4, 2012

Goodwin Procter Invests in Youth Entrepreneurship Through Multilevel National Partnership with BUILD

Professionals

BOSTON, January 4, 2012Goodwin Procter LLP, an Am Law 50 firm, today announced a multilevel national partnership with BUILD, a nonprofit organization that uses entrepreneurship to challenge and engage youth at some of the nation’s most troubled high schools. With more than 1.2 million students dropping out of high school each year, BUILD has helped 100 percent of its participating students complete high school and get accepted into college.

Goodwin Procter will contribute $40,000 and provide volunteers to support BUILD business and academic programs. The firm’s attorneys and staff in Boston, Washington, D.C. and the San Francisco Bay Area will work with BUILD to help students create micro businesses and boost their performance in school through regular tutoring, test prep and college planning sessions. This partnership with BUILD is one of a number of community and public service initiatives Goodwin will be undertaking in connection with the firm’s celebration of its 100th anniversary this year.

Founded in 1999 with four students, BUILD uses entrepreneurship to propel disengaged, low-income youth through high school to college. BUILD currently serves over 900 high school students in five locations. By launching real start-up businesses, BUILD students learn to write business plans, forecast financials and present to potential investors. The experiential learning program engages the students by making school relevant and motivating them to succeed.

Eighty percent of BUILD students are the first in their family to go to college, and yet last year 84 percent were accepted into at least one four-year college or university.

“We are proud to partner with an organization that has made education a priority for students who would not otherwise graduate high school and go to college,” said Regina M. Pisa, Chairman and Managing Partner of Goodwin Procter. “BUILD has motivated so many students to succeed in school and in life, and we are confident that our contribution will help BUILD assist even more to achieve a college education.”

“We are excited to receive this financial contribution from Goodwin Procter and even more excited to connect our students with volunteers from the firm. We look forward to the commitment and energy we know they will contribute to our organization and students,” said Suzanne McKechnie Klahr, CEO and Founder of BUILD.

David Cappillo, a partner in Goodwin Procter’s Technology Companies practice, serves on BUILD’s Local Advisory Board, which includes venture capitalists, college presidents, business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators and opinion leaders.

Other BUILD corporate partners include AT&T, Wells Fargo, Citibank, State Street, Microsoft, Bain Capital Partners, Mintz Levin and Skadden Arps law firms, and John Hancock Financial Services.

BUILD believes that the power of student ideas in action drives youth to reach their fullest potential in school and beyond. Its four-year high school program offers a unique blend of entrepreneurship, academics, and personal support that attracts and motivates many students who are otherwise at high risk of failing classes and dropping out of high school. BUILD currently serves high school students at programs located in East Palo Alto and Oakland, CA; Washington, D.C., and Boston, MA.

About Goodwin Procter

Goodwin Procter LLP is one of the nation’s leading law firms, with offices in Boston, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. The firm provides corporate law and litigation services, with a focus on matters involving real estate, REITs and real estate capital markets; private equity; technology companies; financial services; intellectual property; products liability and mass torts; and securities litigation and white collar defense. Information may be found at www.goodwinprocter.com. Follow us on Twitter @GoodwinProcter.