McNees Wallace & Nurick has selected 12 businesses as the 2026 awardees of its Legal Equity Advancement Program (LEAP), with each recipient set to receive one year of…
McNees Wallace & Nurick has selected 12 businesses as the 2026 awardees of its Legal Equity Advancement Program (LEAP), with each recipient set to receive one year of comprehensive legal services from the firm. The announcement marks another milestone for a program designed to expand access to high-quality legal counsel for entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers in securing such support. By delivering a full year of services at no cost, LEAP aims to help these businesses navigate critical legal matters as they grow and strengthen their operations.
The 2026 class reflects an expanded focus on women-, minority-, veteran-, LGBTQ-, and disability-owned enterprises, broadening the program's reach across underrepresented business communities. This widened scope underscores the firm's commitment to building a more inclusive legal services landscape, where diverse founders and owners can access the kind of strategic counsel typically reserved for larger or more established organizations. The selected businesses represent a cross-section of industries and backgrounds, illustrating the breadth of entrepreneurial activity within the communities LEAP is designed to serve.
The awardees were unveiled at a reception held at Members 1st Federal Credit Union in Enola, Pennsylvania. The choice of venue highlights the regional partnerships that have helped shape and sustain the program, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between law firms, financial institutions, and community stakeholders in advancing equity in legal access. The gathering provided an opportunity to recognize the awardees, celebrate their work, and reaffirm a shared commitment to supporting diverse-owned enterprises throughout the region.
For the broader legal community, the expanded LEAP class offers a meaningful benchmark. As more firms consider how to structure pro bono and access-to-justice initiatives for small businesses, LEAP demonstrates a model that combines deep legal capacity with a defined, year-long engagement for each recipient. The program's continued growth signals that targeted investment in legal infrastructure for underrepresented entrepreneurs can produce durable, measurable support, while also strengthening the regional business ecosystem in which participating firms operate.
This announcement is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Businesses and individuals with questions about the matters discussed should consult qualified legal counsel for guidance tailored to their specific circumstances.