DLA Piper Partner Kathleen Ruhland appointed as Lead Outside Counsel to The Global FoodBanking Network

DLA Piper is pleased to announce that Kathleen Ruhland, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Corporate Group, has been appointed as Lead Outside Counsel to The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), an international development nonprofit whose mission is to elevate food banking as a solution to chronic hunger and the climate crisis. Ruhland succeeds DLA Piper Senior Counsel Allen Ginsburg, who served in the role for more than a decade.

“Food insecurity affects some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, and we are proud to continue our longtime relationship with GFN in combating world hunger and uniting communities in this global effort,” said Ruhland. “I am especially excited to continue Allen’s invaluable work with GFN through the years and the close relationship he’s cultivated to help tackle the legal challenges that come with scaling these initiatives on a global scale.”

GFN is a global nonprofit focused on uniting and advancing food banks and food rescue organizations worldwide. The organization supports partners in more than 50 countries, focusing on creating sustainable solutions to hunger, food loss and waste by empowering communities, improving food surplus distribution, and providing nourishment to individuals and families in need. In 2023, food banks in GFN’s network provided food to more than 40 million people and, by recovering food that would otherwise go to a landfill, mitigated CO2e emissions equivalent to removing 440,000 gasoline-fueled cars from the road.

“Since 2007, DLA Piper has provided invaluable legal support to GFN and our member food banks around the world,” said Lisa Moon, President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. “DLA Piper’s support has helped our network reach millions of people facing food insecurity every day, as well as reduce the corrosive environmental impacts of food loss and waste. We are so appreciative to Allen for his many years of work with GFN and are excited to continue deepening our relationship with Kathy as Lead Outside Counsel.”

In 2007, New Perimeter, DLA Piper’s nonprofit affiliate focused on providing long-term pro bono legal assistance around the world, assisted in the creation of GFN. Since then, the firm has supported GFN in various capacities, including providing advice on various corporate, governance, and tax matters. DLA Piper also actively supports the Global Food Donation Policy Atlas, a collaboration between GFN and the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic that charts laws and policies affecting food donation in more than 25 countries and provides guidance on how laws and regulations can be improved to increase food donations and decrease food waste.

“We are proud of our enduring relationship with The Global FoodBanking Network,” said Lisa Dewey, the firm’s Pro Bono Partner. “A core part of our pro bono mission is combating hunger. For more than 30 years, DLA Piper has represented food banks across the world that are on the front lines helping families secure food during times of need, and our commitment to addressing hunger has never wavered. It’s been our great pleasure to be there for the start of GFN’s impactful work nearly two decades ago and to continue this vital work with them for years to come.”