A law firm with offices in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. offers a program with comprehensive legal services for businesses from economically disadvantaged communities and backgrounds. The Legal Equity Advancement Program (LEAP) is accepting applications through Sept. 30, 2025.
The multidisciplinary law firm McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC (McNees) was founded in 1935 and employs more than 150 attorneys serving clients worldwide. They have supported 34 underrepresented businesses with legal services and business development opportunities since LEAP’s inception in 2020. Interested businesses can submit their information through the LEAP portal, and qualified applicants will be invited to submit more detailed applications.
McNees hopes to expand LEAP in 2026 by helping even more businesses from a wider range of economically disadvantaged communities and backgrounds. The firm has Maryland offices in Towson and Frederick.
“The businesses we work with through LEAP are making a significant impact in their communities,” said Adeolu Bakare, McNees attorney and LEAP co-chair. “This program is about more than just legal services; it’s about empowering entrepreneurs who likely would not otherwise have access to counsel with the tools and knowledge they need to grow sustainably.”
If approved, LEAP awardees have access to McNees’ core legal services. This includes business formation and corporate governance, guidance on labor and employment law compliance, and real estate and contract negotiations. The law firm helps with intellectual property protection and guidance on Minority Business Enterprise MBE) certification, as well.
Awardees also have access to educational workshops, business development seminars, and networking opportunities with industry professionals and McNees attorneys.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of LEAP is seeing the confidence it instills in business owners,” said Benjamin Ward, LEAP co-chair. “With legal guidance and practical support, entrepreneurs can make informed decisions, grow their operations, and pursue new opportunities with clarity.”
To learn more about LEAP or to apply for the program, visit the LEAP section of McNees’ website.
