About the project

National in scope, the Barbara McDowell High Impact Litigation Project beginning in 2009 previously coordinated the initiation and support of 20 high impact social justice litigation cases in various issue areas under the auspices of the Foundation.

Project history

Foundation President Jerry Hartman and his colleagues at Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP (now Faegre Drinker) litigated various high impact litigation cases under the auspices of the Foundation from 2009 to 2021.

In 2021, the Foundation enhanced the High Impact Litigation Project by facilitating partnerships between law firms and social justice organizations pursuing high impact cases. In this capacity, the Foundation coordinated four cases.

The Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center

Although the Foundation successfully coordinated 20 cases in its High Impact Litigation Project, it did not conduct its own litigation. In 2023, the Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center was launched to pursue litigation directly, engage in issue advocacy efforts, and educate the public on civil rights.

While the Foundation and the Law Center are separate organizations, the two share common Board members, engage in coordinated efforts, and honor and continue the work of their namesake, Barbara McDowell.