Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp Donates $25,000 to Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles Family Violence Project in Response to Growing Need

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 28, 2009) - Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (JFS) today announced that Los Angeles-based law firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP (MS&K) has made a $25,000 donation to JFS to support the important work of the JFS Family Violence Project (FVP).

"We really appreciate how MS&K has come through for JFS and our clients at a time when we need it most. At a time when the budget crisis has led to deep cuts in state funding of services for victims of domestic violence, it is more important than ever that JFS programs are able to raise the funding needed to sustain their operations," said Jeff Nagler, JFS President. "MS&K's generous donation and fund-raising assistance will help underwrite our 24 hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, individual counseling, advocacy, parenting education, and important domestic violence certification training for volunteers and professionals."

"The lawyers of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp have always demonstrated a commitment to the community of Greater Los Angeles because it is part of the culture of this law firm that we reinvest some of our good fortune into the hands of those who are less fortunate," said Tom Lambert, managing partner of MS&K.

"JFS is a wonderful organization that deserves the financial support of our law firm and the Family Violence Project in particular is an important, non-sectarian program that provides free support services to women and children who are at an extremely vulnerable place in their lives," said Adam Levin, a partner at MS&K.

The Family Violence Project is a confidential, citywide shelter and counseling program providing comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence and their children. FVP also offers specialized programs for older victims of domestic violence, has the only kosher kitchen at a local shelter and has the capability to serve clients in Spanish and Farsi.

MS&K set up their $25,000 donation as a matching grant, then helped raise an additional $50,000 from the community in order to generate a total of $75,000 in funds to support the operations of the project.

MS&K is a leading California-based law firm that has provided integrated legal and business solutions to clients for more than 100 years. The law firm has a lengthy history of philanthropy, most recently celebrating its centennial anniversary in Los Angeles by endowing a $100,000 scholarship fund to assist financially socio-economically disadvantaged students attending the UCLA School of Law.

About Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles

Jewish Family Service, established in 1854, serves people of all ages, ethnicities and religions with compassion and caring. JFS' nationally recognized services counsel and support individuals and families, helping more than 60,000 people each year in the greater Los Angeles area. JFS provides food and shelter, connects people with disabilities to vital resources, and help relatives and friends care for loved ones, young and old. JFS counsels families in crisis and at-risk children through school based programs. JFS provides safe shelter for homeless families, as well as for abused women and their children, and helps them create independent lives. More information is available at www.jfsla.org.

About JFS Family Violence Project

The JFS Family Violence Project (FVP) is a recognized leader in the provision of shelter and supportive services, including counseling, case management, resource and referrals, and advocacy, to victims of domestic violence and their children. FVP's goal is to provide safety for victims of domestic abuse, to empower families to lead violence free lives and to create an atmosphere of zero tolerance for abuse through community outreach and education. The non-sectarian program includes a Counseling Center, a 24-hour crisis hotline, a 30-day emergency shelter (Tamar House), and an 18-month transitional shelter (Hope Cottage). For more information contact the 24-hour hotline, (818) 505-0900.

About Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp

Celebrating 100 years of exceptional legal services, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp's 125 attorneys provide integrated legal and business solutions for clients in areas that include: Litigation, Intellectual Property & Technology, Labor & Employment, Entertainment & New Media, Immigration, Corporate Transactions, Homeland Security, Tax, Trust & Estates, Real Estate, and International Trade. Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP has offices in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.msk.com.

Contact Information: Contacts: Nancy Volpert JFS Director of Public Policy (323) 761-8800, ext. 1204 Daryn Teague 661.297.5292