Norton Rose Fulbright honored in National MS Society’s Circle of Distinction after reaching
$1 million in donations

Norton Rose Fulbright was honored in the National MS Society's Circle of Distinction on December 14 after the firm's cycling team riders collectively raised $1 million in donations from 2014 to 2022 participating in the MS 150 bike ride. Team co-captains Houston partner Dan McClure and senior administrator Debra Collins presented the firm's framed team riding jersey in recognition of this award to Linda Bates, president of the South Central Chapter of the National MS Society, at the MS Society's Houston office, where it will be prominently displayed alongside jerseys of prior Circle of Distinction winners.

The firm has sponsored a team for the past eight years, composed of its lawyers, non-lawyer personnel, family, clients and friends who participate in a two-day ride to raise donations to support the important mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Organized by the National MS Society and the largest event of its kind in North America, the Texas MS 150 bike ride raises funds for research and treatment to help those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Norton Rose Fulbright's cycling team began participating in this two-day bike ride in alignment with the global charity initiative in 2014, with more than 150 riders from 24 offices worldwide riding that year. The firm's international riders have also raised substantial additional funds for MS research outside the US.

Global Chief Executive Gerry Pecht said, "I am proud to have ridden with my colleagues many times and love the way that this event has brought us closer together as a firm. Our commitment to this worthy cause has become part of the fabric of our culture."

This year, the firm participated in the MS 150 on April 30 and May 1, 2022. The riders biked routes up to 180 miles over two days, riding from either Houston or Austin to College Station, Texas with an overnight stop in a large common tent in La Grange.

Dan McClure (Houston), who served as team co-captain with Richard Zembek (Houston), Glen Hettinger (Dallas) and Paul Trahan (Austin), commented, "Reaching the one million dollar milestone is a testament to the deep commitment our law firm, our team riders and their supporters have to this important charitable cause. In addition to our riders and donors, I want to thank our personnel that have handled the logistical challenges and ensured the safety of our riders, all under Debra Collins' continued leadership."

A progressive neurological disease, multiple sclerosis affects more than two million people worldwide, mostly between 20 and 50 years old. Currently, there is no known cure.