Law firm donates HBCU suit fees to schools, nonprofits

The law firm that represented Maryland’s historically Black universities in a 15-year federal lawsuit against the state is donating the $12.5 million in fees it was awarded when the case settled to colleges and nonprofits.

The Kirkland & Ellis firm represented historically Black colleges and universities alumni and supporters in the suit challenging underfunding of the schools. It was settled this year with the approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in extra funding in future state budgets.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the firm took the lawsuit on a pro bono basis and is now sending the money to the community.

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