Using a fresh fundraising approach to support legal services for the poor, a group of Big Law associates announced on Sept. 7 its first grants to four legal aid groups. The Associates Committee, launched last year by third-year Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom associate Corey Laplante, said that the four will receive a total of $200,000 raised from 200 associates who contributed $1,000 each.

Two groups are each getting $75,000 grants: the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights in New Orleans and the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) in San Antonio. The Innocence Project in New York City and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless are receiving $25,000 apiece.