Lowenstein Sandler Attorneys and Staff Mobilize to Help Voters Exercise Their Rights Through 2012 Election Protection Campaign

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to ensure all voters have equal opportunity to participate in the political process, law firm Lowenstein Sandler has joined Election Protection, a nationwide, non-partisan voter protection program led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

More than 100 Lowenstein Sandler attorneys, staff and firm alumni will participate in the Election Protection campaign, which this year plans to recruit 8,000-10,000 legal volunteers to assist voters, poll workers and election officials across the nation. On Monday, November 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2012, from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., trained volunteers from Lowenstein and other law firms will respond to calls from voters through the Election Protection toll-free hotlines ─ 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) in English & 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) in Spanish. The hotlines are available to any voter who needs guidance in understanding his or her rights, including those from historically disenfranchised communities such as African Americans, Asian Pacific American, Latinos, Native Americans, and other racially and ethnically diverse communities; seniors; young people; low-income people; and individuals with disabilities. Voting information, news and resources are also available at the Election Protection web site: www.866ourvote.org.

In support of the Election Protection campaign, Lowenstein Sandler has volunteered its New York office as a call center, and will host nearly 200 volunteers from numerous New York-area law firms, nonprofits and other groups during the two-day voter call-in period.  The firm will also conduct comprehensive training sessions for the hotline's New York City-metro area volunteers and has dedicated a page of its web site to voter information, news and resources: http://www.lowensteinprobono.com/ElectionProtection2012.

Lowenstein Sandler's participation in Election Protection is an initiative of the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest, the firm's pro bono and community service program. Founded in 2008, the Center maximizes the impact of Lowenstein's pro bono activities by focusing its efforts; deepening the firm's partnerships with leading nonprofits and community organizations; and strategically using the talents and passions of the firm's lawyers and staff to effect positive change in our communities.

Through the Center, Lowenstein Sandler attorneys dedicated more than 20,000 hours of pro bono work in 2011, reflecting an average of more than 78 hours per attorney. Among a broad array of litigation, transactional and policy work, recent Center achievements include a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court opinion ordering California to reduce overcrowding in its prison system; a trial court decision awarding custody of twin girls to their same-sex parents on the grounds that the couple would raise the girls to be proud of their heritage and origin; and the firm's advocacy for safe and adequate shelter on behalf of dozens of homeless people who have been denied emergency shelter and currently reside in a "tent city" in public woods in central New Jersey.

About Election Protection
Election Protection is the nation's largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Through its 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline (1-866-687-8683, smartphone application and other resources, and dedicated team of legal experts and trained volunteers, Election Protection helps all American voters, including traditionally disenfranchised groups, gain access to the polls and overcome obstacles to voting, offering live assistance. The coalition has more than 100 partners – including the NAACP, National Bar Association, Native Vote, Asian-American Justice Center, National Association of Latino Appointed and Elected Officials Education Fund (NALEO), New Organizing Institute, Rock the Vote, Verified Voting Foundation, National Education Association and the Brennan Center for Justice – at the national, state and local level and is providing voter protection services now through Election Day for all 50 states.

For more information about Election Protection, the 1-866-OUR-VOTE Hotline and the smartphone application, please visit: www.866ourvote.org.

About Lowenstein Sandler
Lowenstein Sandler PC is a top-ranked business law firm with approximately 270 attorneys providing a full range of legal services. The firm's commitment to its clients is demonstrated through its client-centered, service-oriented culture. Lowenstein Sandler attorneys are regularly recognized for excellence by clients and peers in national publications, including The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business and The Legal 500. 
www.lowenstein.com

SOURCE Lowenstein Sandler PC