Community Involvement

Individually and collectively, everyone in our firm is committed to finding ways to give back to the communities in which we live and work. FDR is a leading contributor to the CAVU Foundation, a public charity with a mission of enabling targeted high-impact healthcare philanthropy by investing in organizations and programs that seek to address unmet medical needs of children. FDR is the lead sponsor of Bio-Ball, a unique basketball tournament and skills events that matches employees of Boston-area biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies with Special Olympics teams, with all proceeds supporting Special Olympics Massachusetts.  And, FDR has volunteered time for local social service agencies, including the Greater Boston Food Bank.

2010 Bio-Ball

FDR GBFB Volunteer Day

FDR is also a current and past sponsor of the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition, the nation’s premier business plan competition. The MIT $100K is a year-long educational experience designed to encourage students and researchers in the MIT community to act on their talent, ideas and energy to produce tomorrow’s leading firms. Now in its 20th year, the Competition has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and business startup services to outstanding teams of student entrepreneurs who submitted business plans for new ventures showing significant business potential. The refinement process of the Competition, its network of mentors, investors and potential partners, and the cash prizes awarded have helped many of these teams to act on their dreams and build their own companies and fortunes.

Pro Bono

We handle matters on a pro bono basis that apply our professional skills, creativity and influence for the benefit of not-for-profit organizations. FDR has assisted Energy Science Education, an energy conservation organization, with its initial incorporation and licensing activities. Two of our senior lawyers are also dedicating time to an on-going effort of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council to coordinate best practices for efficient handling of various transactions and related agreements between industry and non-profit and educational organizations.