Chicago-Based Team Advises on Creation of Highland Park Fund to Assist Victims of Mass Shooting

Following the mass shooting in the City of Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4, 2022, the Highland Park Community Foundation (the Foundation) formed the July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund (the Fund) to accept and process the tremendous outpouring of financial support for victims.

A Latham team worked with the Foundation and the Fund as it established Together Highland Park Unidos, which will manage the donation distribution process for victims and local nonprofits supporting victims. The firm’s pro bono counsel will help ensure that the Fund achieves its goals of providing financial support as quickly as possible to the victims of the shooting as well as to community-based nonprofits.

“We were horrified by what happened in Highland Park,” said partner Mark Gerstein, who led the Latham team and raised his family in the community, located outside of Chicago. “I speak for the rest of the Chicago-based team when I say how honored we were to be able to advise this Fund and to offer the legal support it needs to fulfill its mission and, ultimately, help the community find a path toward healing.”

In addition to Gerstein, the Latham team included partners Diana Doyle and Dan Breslin; associates Karen Klass, Gharrett Favinger, and Daniel Robinson; Stephen Lessard, Pro Bono Managing Attorney — Tax Exempt Organizations. In just 10 days, the team established the Committee’s organizational and tax structure, including a governing body with plan administrators, draft protocols for claims, and a comment process for victims, families, and the public.