About LEAP
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McNees launched the Legal Equity Advancement Program (LEAP) in 2020 to help Black-owned and Black-controlled businesses overcome barriers to entry that are caused, in part, by institutional racism. Each business chosen for the program is awarded one year’s worth of free legal services. LEAP awardees gain access to nearly every practice area at McNees and have addressed matters involving business organization or reorganization, tax, employment, real estate, intellectual property, MBE certification, and contract review, among several others. In addition, recipients are offered educational webinars/seminars and networking opportunities with each other and with individuals and companies within our network.
LEAP is one of many pro bono and diversity, equity and inclusion investments McNees makes in the communities it serves. The firm has a longstanding history of supporting programs and organizations to further initiatives that provide opportunities and resources for underserved populations. McNees is a proud member of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), an organization dedicated to driving change and promoting attorney diversity in law firms and corporate law departments. McNees has also been a longstanding supporter and sponsor of the LGBT Center of Central PA. In 2022, McNees was the first law firm in Pennsylvania to join the Women’s Business Enterprise Center-East (WBEC-East) Supplier Diversity Council, a group that champions women-owned businesses. The firm also regularly sponsors and participates in events and programs that provide education and awareness around issues that impact underserved populations in the community and in the workplace.
In the News
MoversForMe moving forward thanks to LEAP program - Central Penn Business Journal
Harrisburg Chamber names recipients of 2021 Catalyst Award - The Burg
Legal Equity Advancement Program featured on abc27’s Good Day PA
McNees Attorney and Diversity Initiative Recognized by The Legal Intelligencer
Five Black-owned businesses receive free yearlong legal services from local firm - TheBurg
Our Partners
McNees endeavors to create a ripple effect with LEAP. We hope that the ripple is not only through the ongoing successes of the LEAP awardees, but that it also encourages our professional friends to take action. We thank our partner organizations that have helped make LEAP successful over the years, including, but not limited to, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, the Young Professionals of Color - Greater Harrisburg, Centric Bank, Enders Insurance, Landmark Commercial Realty, the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA, the Central PA Black Business Directory, and Historic King Mansion. These partners are recognized as having contributed to the success of LEAP by providing feedback on program design, services to LEAP awardees, providing educational opportunities to LEAP awardees, or for having opened their network to LEAP awardees by hosting a networking event.
If your organization is interested in developing a program to assist minority business of any type, or if you are interested in partnering with us to enhance LEAP, please reach out via the Contact Us form.
The 2024 LEAP Program
The application window for 2024 has closed.