Led by AAJ life member Ira Leesfield, trial lawyers throughout the country have responded with humanitarian aid to feed and provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees and those remaining in the country.
The Leesfield Family Foundation, chaired by AAJ Executive Committee leader Ira Leesfield, has pledged $250,000 in matching contributions to sustain and support the people of Ukraine in their battle for democracy and independence. Every dollar contributed – www.leesfieldfoundation.org – is matched by the Foundation, and 100% of all contributions go directly to war zone ground efforts that have teamed up with the Foundation.
AAJ and trial lawyer leaders, including officers and stalwarts from across the United States, have enthusiastically joined and supported this effort, allowing World Central Kitchen and UNICEF to directly lift the spirits by feeding and assisting Ukrainian families.
UNICEF is providing aid to the children of the region, World Central Kitchen, led by renowned chef José Andrés, has now served 25 million meals, working with 4,300 team members in more than 230 cities. These team members work tirelessly, cooking in restaurants, stocking warehouses, delivering meals and driving trucks to feed the refugees in Ukraine as well as in bordering countries.
To date, hundreds of contributors and trial lawyers have generously contributed. In the words of AAJ Stalwart colleague, Thomas Dempsey, “This is a tragedy that in a civilized world should not exist. Thank you for caring.”
The Foundation continues weekly wire transfers of matching funds to our counterparts, sharing the trial lawyer tradition of caring and supporting those in need.
Our thanks go out to many of you who have already joined in this effort and we ask for your continued support:
Ira H. Leesfield, President
Leesfield Family Foundation
Ira Leesfield, the Foundation’s President, was recognized by the American Association for Justice, receiving the most prestigious Trial Lawyers Care Award. He has served on the AAJ Board of Governors for 25 years and is a life member of AAJ and the Roscoe Pound Foundation. He now serves on the Executive Committee and has initiated numerous projects for AAJ during the past 40 years.