When Maynard Smith, Overton Currie and Reg Hancock announced the founding of Smith, Currie & Hancock on Oct. 1, 1965, they did so with a deep belief that to become a truly successful law firm, their successes must be shared. 

From the beginning, community service and charitable donations have been a staple of their philanthropic mission across their offices in Atlanta; San Francisco; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Washington, D.C.

Years of giving back to the community served Smith Currie well, and in 2015 the firm celebrated its 50th anniversary with the “Fifty for 50” campaign: participation in 50 charitable activities throughout the year. In addition, the firm created a structure to channel the efforts and individual generosity of its more than 60 attorneys and staff. 

The Smith Currie Foundation, funded by voluntary contributions from the firm’s attorneys, was formed to provide an avenue to organize those efforts and to have an impact for many years to come. 

Each year, the foundation seeks out local charities and construction organizations such as ACE Mentor Program of America, which mentors and inspires high school students to pursue careers in design and construction. Partner Zack Rippeon serves on the board of ACE Atlanta, and the Smith Currie Foundation also funds a scholarship each year for a deserving high school student.

Smith Currie encourages employees to find ways to include the firm in projects about which they are passionate. In turn, employees build morale and camaraderie within the firm while helping the community. 

One legal assistant recommended supporting Kate’s Club, an organization that provides programs for children dealing with grief from the loss of a parent. The firm purchased supplies and employees worked together during lunch to assemble boxes with healing stones, which were painted with encouraging words and gifted to the families. 

Smith Currie also has worked with Help Build Hope to purchase and prepare materials to frame two houses, one of which was for a family with a special needs child. 

For 15 years, Partner Adam Haimo has been involved with Lawyers for Children America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that recruits, trains and supports pro bono lawyers to provide legal assistance to dependent children in foster care. 

Smith Currie also supports the organization through financial contributions.

The firm has many exciting events planned across the country for 2019, including a children’s hospital fundraiser in Florida, a Toys for Tots drive and a golf fundraiser for the Hope Hospice chapter near San Francisco.