Among our most sacred and fundamental blessings in this country is the rule of law – what John Adams aptly described as a government of laws, not of men – a system that protects freedom generally by securing the rights of the individual. American courts provide a forum where every citizen can seek relief from trespasses against their rights. Our Constitution enshrines the principle that where there’s a wrong, there’s a remedy.

The problem is: these rights don’t enforce themselves, and not everyone can afford to hire a lawyer to vindicate their rights in court, when the need arises. Enter, the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland – a nonprofit whose mission is “to promote equal access to justice in Maryland by coordinating and supporting volunteer civil legal services, providing resources and support for legal advocates for the poor, and promoting cooperation within the legal community.”

The MurthyNAYAK Foundation recently made a major gift to support the outstanding work of the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, including its projects in foreclosure prevention, consumer protection, family mediation, and veterans’ benefits assistance. PBRC helps attorneys to provide pro bono legal services, by helping to recruit, train, recognize, and support pro bono lawyers who provide legal services to the poor – not for pay, but for the public good.

MNF supports PBRC because we believe that, in a democratic society, the rights of all people matter – especially of those whose economic circumstances make them vulnerable to exploitation. Further information on the PBRC is on the web at www.probonomd.org.

Copyright © 2014, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

The MurthyNAYAK Foundation does its share to encourage volunteerism among Murthy Law Firm (MLF) employees, supporting their efforts to raise funds for – and awareness of – many worthy causes that need greater attention. Two recent examples:

• Pam Genise, a Supervising Attorney and Member of MLF, joined friends and family for a fundraising Walk for Muscular Dystrophy in Seattle, Washington, where her sister serves as fundraising coordinator. With support from the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, Pam’s team raised more than $3,400, and was named the top corporate team for the event, which raised over $72,000. The funds will support research to improve the treatment of neuromuscular diseases, and assist patients and families in dealing with the debilitating effects of these illnesses.

• Jessica Beaver, an attorney in MLF’s green card department, organized a large contingent of volunteers from our firm to participate in the “Red Shoe Shuffle” 5K race to benefit Baltimore’s Ronald McDonald House, which provides a home away from home for critically ill children and their families. Ronald McDonald House not only provides lodgings and social support for these families – many of which have travelled long distances to receive treatment in Baltimore – it also funds local programs to promote the overall wellbeing of children. The event raised more than $250,000, and received generous sponsorship from the MurthyNAYAK Foundation.

The Murthy Law Firm makes a concerted effort to hire well-rounded people: smart, hardworking individuals with good brains and good hearts. At work, our attorneys and support staff go the extra mile to take good care of our clients, giving them the outstanding legal counsel and client service that sets the industry standard. In their free time, they give back to the community, generously sharing their time, talents, and treasure to make the world a better place. That’s just the kind of people they are, and the MurthyNAYAK Foundation is glad to support their good works!

Copyright © 2013, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

Maryland’s most successful companies know the importance of a sound global business strategy. They know that, to tap into world markets, they must develop business relationships across the barriers of language and culture, and learn to function in overseas markets and foreign legal and regulatory environments. As the largest international business network in the Mid-Atlantic, WTCI provides its members with tools to succeed in the global economy: educational programs, a trade resource center, international business services, trade missions, and professional exchange programs. WTCI also promotes diversity in business leadership, with events like its annual Maryland Women Spanning the Globe conference. More trade means more jobs. We are proud to help WTCI to build our economy!

For more information, visit WTCI on the web at www.wtci.org.

Pratham – the goal of this nonprofit is to ensure that every child in India – regardless of social or economic status – will be able to attend school, and thereby lay the groundwork not only for personal success and advancement, but for the educational enfranchisement of an entire society. Pratham promotes forward-thinking educational programs that can be replicated and scaled up to reach large numbers of children at a sustainable cost. It works with school systems, communities, and government stakeholders to advocate for broad-based educational reform, and offers teacher training programs that empower women from underprivileged segments of Indian society. Pratham is working toward the day when pre-school and primary school education will be available to every child in India.

http://www.pratham.org/M-12-2-Vision-and-Mission.aspx

MICA – the Maryland Institute College of Art, MICA, is among the leading art programs in the country, and indeed the world. Vasant Nayak, filmmaker and photographer, founded MICA’s innovative graduate program in digital arts, keep it on the leading edge of artistic creation in a time of rapid technological transformation. MICA has continually re-invented itself to keep pace with a changing world, and the MurthyNAYAK Foundation has supported this work by providing scholarship funds for MICA’s Digital Arts students.

http://www.mica.edu/About_MICA.html

The MurthyNAYAK Foundation is a proud sponsor of ASHA for Women, a Washington-based non-profit organization that helps South Asian women who are victims of domestic abuse. The word “asha” means “hope” in Hindi and other South Asian languages, and giving hope to women in crisis is ASHA’s reason for being. We wholeheartedly support this work to break the grip of gender-based violence and fear that holds too many immigrant women down. Attorney Sheela Murthy shares her expertise with ASHA as a member of its Board of Advisors.

For 20 years, ASHA for Women has been meeting the legal, financial, and emotional needs of South Asian women in the Washington, D.C. metro area, helping domestic violence victims from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and embracing clients from many faith traditions: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and many others. ASHA’s counselors give clients the information they need to make important decisions, offering expert guidance in a sympathetic, non-judgmental atmosphere that allows clients to make informed choices without fear of criticism or shame.

Each ASHA client is paired with an advocate who has extensive knowledge of the financial, legal, and mental health needs of abuse victims, as well as linguistic and cultural competency to meet the special needs of South Asian women. ASHA’s advocates provide emotional support to their clients, and practical help in accessing civil, criminal justice, immigration and social services. They will even accompany clients to medical, legal, and social service appointments, and help them to find work, housing, English classes, driving lessons, and qualified professional help.

Further information is on ASHA’s website, www.ashaforwomen.org, and from ASHA’s toll-free helpline, 1-888-417-2742.