ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Selects Wendy Brenner of Cooley Godward Kronish LLP for Francis Perkin’s Public Service Award
The ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law presented the 2007 Francis Perkin’s Public Service Award to Wendy Brenner of Cooley Godward Kronish LLP during their 2007 Annual CLE Conference in Philadelphia. Ms. Brenner was nominated for her extraordinary commitment to pro bono work. She has represented clients in federal and state court on a wide variety of claims. She has represented parties in mediations and arbitrations and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the California Labor Commissioner and other administrative agencies. Specific to this year’s award, Ms. Brenner and her firm put in over $350,000 in pro bono representation on behalf of a restaurant kitchen worker who was owed approximately $90,000 in unpaid wages and penalties. To find out more about the Perkins Award, requirements for nomination, and profiles of past recipients
click here.
ABA pro bono immigration pilot project in San Diego to promote due process, clearer decision-making
The American Bar Association is launching an innovative pro bono immigration pilot project in San Diego in the fall of 2007 as part of a seed grant from the ABA Enterprise Fund.
More about this project . . .
ABA Adopts New Interpretation of Law School Pro Bono Accreditation Standard
At the 2007 ABA Annual Meeting, the ABA House of Delegates adopted
New Interpretation 302-10 of the Law School Pro Bono Accreditation
Standard 302(b)(2). Standard 302(b)(2) of the
ABA Standards for the Approval of Law Schools requires all ABA approved law schools to offer "substantial opportunities for . . . student participation in pro bono activities."
New Interpretation 302-10 provides, in part, that "pro bono opportunities should at a minimum involve the rendering of meaningful law-related service to persons of limited means or to organizations that serve such persons; however, volunteer programs that involve meaningful services that are not law-related also may be included within the law school's overall program." In addition, the Interpretation acknowledges that while most existing law school pro bono programs include only activities for which students do not receive academic credit, it maintains that the Standard does not preclude the inclusion of credit-granting activities within a law school's overall program of pro bono opportunities so long as law-related non-credit bearing initiatives are also part of that program.
To view the full text of New Interpretation 302-10, see Chapter three of the ABA Standards or to view the full ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar Recommendation and Report 103A submitted to the House of Delegates, see http://www.abanet.org/leadership/2007/annual/docs/hundredthreea.doc. In addition, see the Commentary on Revisions to Standards and Rules of Procedures for Approval of Law Schools 2006-2007 which was submitted to all Deans of ABA-Approved Law Schools in August 2007 at http://www.abanet.org/legaled/standards/standardsdocuments/Finalcommentary2006-2007.doc. For further information, visit the ABA Section of Legal Education web site or email , Assistant Staff Counsel, ABA Center for Pro Bono.
Videos of the August 13, 2007 Pro Bono Publico Award Recipients Now Available
After a very thorough review and deliberation the Committee selected as recipients of the 2007 Awards the following lawyers and law firms. The awards were presented at the Pro Bono Publico Awards Assembly Luncheon at the Moscone West Convention Center on Monday, August 13, 2007 at the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California.
Robert E. Borton, San Francisco, CA
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:47 minutes 11.7 Mb
Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 12.2 Mb
Derfner, Altman & Wilborn, Charleston, SC
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:36 minutes 11.1 Mb
Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 11.5 Mb
Stephen H. Oleskey, Boston, MA
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:48 minutes 11.7 Mb
Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 12.2 Mb
Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, IL
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:31 minutes 10.8 Mb
Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 11.3 Mb
Patricia Yoedicke, Minneapolis, MN
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:56 minutes 12.1 Mb
Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 12.6 Mb
Detailed descriptions of their pro bono accomplishments.
Child Custody and Adoption Pro Bono Project Announces 2007 Grants Awardees
The ABA Child Custody and Adoption Pro Bono Project announces the award of $50,000 to programs and projects working to develop partnerships between pro bono attorneys and law students in the representation of children in private custody cases. These four programs have received grants: AdvoCourt for Kids (Houston, Texas), Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (Georgia), ChildLaw Services, Inc. (Princeton, West Virginia) and
Children's Law Center (Covington, Kentucky).
More details on these programs
ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Releases New Resources to Assist Legal Service and Pro Bono Programs
The
Manual for Pro Bono and Legal Services Dispute Resolution Programs
has the tools pro bono and legal services programs need to design a mediation program. The manual provides governing boards, chief executives and mediation program administrators the information needed to start a new program or to strengthen an existing program. It covers the benefits of mediation, how to design a program, the financial resources needed and where to find them, staffing the program, the recruitment of appropriate volunteer mediators, the screening and processing of cases, and sample forms and training tools.
Beyond the Myths: Get the Facts about Dispute Resolution
is a new brochure that identifies the most common myths and barriers to the use of mediation for low income disputants The brochure addresses nine common myths or misconceptions held by legal services and pro bono practitioners. The subjects addressed range from issues such as whether mediation is a fair means of dispute resolution for low income disputants, including those with domestic violence issues, to the ability to enforce mediation agreements.
The American Bar Association House of Delegates at the 2007 Midyear Meeting in February approved A Model Court Rule on Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster The American Bar Association House of Delegates at the 2007 Midyear Meeting in February overwhelmingly approved a
Model Court Rule on Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster. The model rule would allow out-of-state lawyers to provide pro bono legal services in an affected jurisdiction and lawyers in the affected jurisdiction whose legal practices had been disrupted by a major disaster to practice law on a temporary basis in an unaffected jurisdiction. For further information,
, Client Protection Counsel, ABA Standing Committee on Client Protection, or Director, ABA Center for Pro Bono.
ABA Plans Dues Waiver for Senior or Inactive Members Who Provide Pro Bono Service
Pro bono work has long been supported and encouraged by the ABA, and the association's Board of Governors has just approved a plan it hopes will further encourage lawyers to contribute to their community by making retired and inactive members who have provided 500 hours of pro bono service in the prior year eligible for a waiver of their ABA membership dues the following year. The dues waiver will start in the next bar year (Sept. 1, 2007, through Aug. 31, 2008) - earning those pro bono hours starts now!
The dues waiver program complements one of President Karen Mathis's core initiatives - the Second Season of Service - which seeks to harness the talents of lawyers in the baby boomer population, a generation that is redefining retirement from a time of leisure to a time of renewed vigor and purpose.
Upon request, an ABA member who is no longer in the active practice of law who completes 500 hours of pro bono legal service within a calendar year may receive a dues waiver with appropriate documentation. The definition of pro bono legal services work is set forth in Model Rule 6.1. The applicant must show proof that at least 250 of the 500 hours of pro bono work involved direct representation of persons of limited means or organizations that provide services to those individuals, service on boards of organizations serving the poor, or serving as non-compensated legal staff for such organizations.
Applicants will self-certify by submitting a signed document
attesting to the 500 hours and the 250 minimum hours in the services outlined immediately above. To participate in this program, contact the ABA Service Center at 1-800-285-2221 or Service@abanet.org.
ABA House of Delegates Supports Civil Legal Services Policy Recommendations
Civil legal services matters were an important and significant part of the recent House of Delegates agenda at the 2006 ABA Annual Meeting in Hawaii. The House of Delegates members approved the following reports with resolutions of relevance to pro bono programs and others invested in improving access to civil legal services to the poor.
Report No. 111 - Civil Legal Services Program Standards
[Primary Sponsor: Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants]
Adopts revised Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid, dated August 2006 and recommends implementation of the Standards by entities providing civil legal aid to the poor.
Report No. 112A - Civil Gideon
[Primary Sponsor: Task Force on Access to Civil Justice]
Urges federal, state, and territorial jurisdictions to provide legal counsel as a matter of right at public expense to low income persons in those categories of adversarial proceedings where basic human needs are at stake, such as those involving shelter, sustenance, safety, health or child custody as determined by each jurisdiction.
Report No. 112B - Principles for State Civil Legal Aid Delivery Systems
[Primary Sponsor: Task Force on Access to Civil Justice]
Adopts the Principles of a State System for the Delivery of Civil Legal Aid, dated August 2006, which describe a system for the delivery of civil legal aid that provides a full-range of high quality, coordinated and uniformly available civil law-related services to the state's or territory's low-income and vulnerable populations in sufficient quantity to meet their civil legal needs.
Report No. 118 - Pro Bono Limited Practice Rules
[Primary Sponsor: Commission on Law and Aging]
Encourages state and territorial bar associations and other attorney licensing entities to adopt practice rules that establish guidelines to allow pro bono legal service by qualified, retired or otherwise inactive lawyers, under the auspices of qualified legal services or other non-profit programs.
Report No. 121A - Supporting and Promoting Pro Bono in Law Practice Settings
[Primary Sponsor: Commission on the Renaissance of Idealism in the Legal Profession]
Urges solo and small firm attorneys, larger law firms, corporate law departments and government and military law offices to encourage their lawyers, partners as well as associates, to service their communities through pro bono and public service activities consistent with applicable rules of professional conduct and adopts Pro Bono Policies and Procedures, dated August 2006 to provide their lawyers with opportunities to do pro bono work and to adopt specific internal policies and procedures to support such work.
Report No. 121B - Law School Support and Promotion of Pro Bono
[Primary Sponsor: Commission on the Renaissance of Idealism in the Legal Profession]
Urges law schools to require legal employers that recruit on campus to disclose, and to make available to the schools' students and alumni, specific information regarding the employer's pro bono policies, practices and activities and urges law schools to adopt the Pro Bono Disclosure Requirements for Law School Recruiters, dated August 2006.
Report No. 121C - Judicial Support and Promotion of Pro Bono
[Primary Sponsor: Commission on the Renaissance of Idealism in the Legal Profession]
Urges all federal, state, local and territorial courts to develop programs, in collaboration with state, local and territorial bar associations and pro bono programs and legal services offices, to encourage, facilitate and recognize pro bono representation of indigent parties in civil cases.
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The House also approved resolutions that relate to the work of civil legal services providers:
Report No. 108A - Homeless Court Programs
[Primary Sponsor: Commission on Homelessness and Poverty]
Adopts principles for Homeless Court Programs and approve the criteria for individual participation recognizing that administration of the programs will differ depending on the particular needs, goals and challenges of a jurisdiction.
Report No. 108B - Definition of "Homeless Person"
[Primary Sponsor: Commission on Homelessness and Poverty]
Urges all federal agencies to include within the definition of "homeless person" individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence including those who, due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons, are sharing the housing of others or living in motels, hotels or camping grounds.
Report No. 110 - Expansion of Domestic Violence Relationship
[Primary Sponsor: Commission on Domestic Violence]
Urges federal, state, territorial, local and tribal governments to enact or amend domestic violence civil protection order statutes that provide protection to victims who are in a romantic or intimate relationship with the perpetrator of domestic violence or have been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the perpetrator, but do not necessarily have a child with, live with, or are married to the perpetrator of the violence.
Report No. 120C - Law Firm Billable Hours
[Primary Sponsor: Section of Litigation]
Encourages law firms to consider: (a) alternatives to mandatory minimum billing requirements that would reduce undue emphasis on lawyers' billable hours; and (b) compensation systems that recognize and reward attorneys based on factors in addition to the number of hours they bill to client matters.
ABA Child Custody and Adoption Project Releases the Exemplary Mental Health and Social Service Projects Guide for use in Child Representation Projects.
The ABA Child Custody and Adoption Pro Bono Project is pleased to announce the release of a Guide for programs interested in adding a mental health or social services component to their legal representation of children. This Guide details the work of five programs who received funding from the ABA Child Custody Project in 2005, as well as information about other mental health and social service projects within child representation programs. Our hope is that programs will see the benefit of adding mental health and social service pieces to their current work, and will take advantage of the expertise developed by these other programs and the ABA Project.
View The Exemplary Mental Health and Social Service Projects Guide with all of the listed exhibits. Any questions about the Guide can be directed to .
Child Custody And Adoption Pro Bono Project Announces 2006 Grants
A total of $50,000 in grants are being awarded to six organizations to implement standards and trainings for children's attorneys. The Project's grants are being made in conjunction with its release of a six-hour video training series, accompanied by a 700-plus page manual. This is a multi-disciplinary training program which has been submitted for CLE credit approval.
Take this link to review the Grants announcement.
Mississippi and Louisiana Pro Bono Coordinators
With funding of $75,000 from the ABA Section of Business Law, in March a statewide disaster legal assistance pro bono coordinator for Mississippi, Karen Lash, was hired and began her assignment. With financial assistance from Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi and other resources, Monique Drake, the statewide disaster legal assistance pro bono coordinator for Louisiana began her assignment in early April.
Business Law Workshop Materials from the 2006 Equal Justice Conference are Now Available Online
Workshop materials are now available for the following EJC 2006 workshops:
- Business Law Pro Bono in the Time of Disaster: Lessons Learned
- Effective Uses of Teams on Business Pro Bono Projects
- Engage Business Lawyers and Empower Non-Profit Organizations
- Legal Issues Faced by Non-Profits
- Selling Business Law Pro Bono Within the Law Firm
- Starting a Business Law Pro Bono Project: The Pitfalls and Successes
To view the materials,
use this link.
The Community Public Health Legal Preparedness Initiative
Many members of the pro bono and legal services communities may not yet know about the
Community Public Health Legal Preparedness Initiative (CPHLPI) - the first project fully implemented under the CDC's Memorandum of Understanding with the American Bar Association (ABA).
A critical element in the nation's efforts to prepare for public health emergencies is ensuring that members of the legal profession are expertly versed in public health emergency law so that they can offer legal advice to their clients before, during, and after an emergency. This requirement is especially important for healthcare and public health attorneys whose clients may include traditional frontline responders such as hospitals, healthcare systems, and public health agencies. The Community Public Health Legal Preparedness Initiative was developed to address this need. To date, legal readiness workshops based on the CPHLPI model have been customized for delivery in seven jurisdictions across the country. We invite you to read The CPHLPI Workshop Director's Guide
.
ABA Pro Bono Committee Releases Pro Bono Data Collection Study Report
The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is pleased to announce the release of
Supporting Justice: A Report on the Pro Bono Work of America's Lawyers. The report discusses the findings of the Pro Bono Committee's recently completed pro bono data collection study.
Click here for news release or
click here for the full report.
New Brochure Helps Pro Bono Attorneys Work More Effectively with Clients
The ABA Center for Pro Bono announces a new brochure,
Pro Bono Clients: Strategies for Success, available to pro bono programs for distribution to volunteer attorneys. The brochure outlines eight tips to help attorneys understand and effectively serve their pro bono clients. It also identifies resources for further reading on the topic of working with low-income populations.
A limited number of printed brochures are available to pro bono programs on request by contacting Angie Shaw at the Center for Pro Bono by . You may see and also download a PDF version of the brochure for printing at www.abaprobono.org/brochure_probono.pdf.
Both the print and PDF versions of the brochure have a space on the back panel for your organization to add a sticker or stamp with your logo and contact information.
The Center for Pro Bono thanks Martha Delaney and Scott Russell of the Volunteer Lawyers Network and Karen Russell for their work in developing and designing the brochure. This brochure was based on the work of Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.
The Renaissance of Idealism Best Practices Resource Guide
The Renaissance of Idealism in the Legal Profession Pro Bono and Public Service Best Practices Resource Guide contains short descriptions of pro bono and public services best practices currently being utilized by law firms, in-house law departments, government attorney offices and solo and small firm practices. It also contains information from bar associations, legal services offices, pro bono programs and law schools - organizations that provide project partnership opportunities.
View the guide.
ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Selects Unemployment Insurance for Battered Women Project for Francis Perkin's Public Service Award
The ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law presented the 2006 Francis Perkin's Public Service Award to the Unemployment Insurance for Battered Women Project during the 2006 ABA Annual Meeting in Honolulu. The Project was created in 2002 as part of the University of Seattle's Access to Justice Institute. It was established to help ensure that victims of domestic violence or stalking are able to obtain unemployment insurance benefits in cases where they need to leave their jobs in order to protect themselves or an immediate family member. The Project has provided a total of 10,910 hours of pro bono service to the community, including direct legal representation, legal advice and consultation, referrals to domestic violence shelters, and community education and outreach. More information regarding the Unemployment Insurance for Battered Women can be found on their web site at
www.law.seattleu.edu/accesstojustice/projects/batteredwomen.
Click here to find out more about the Perkins Award, requirements for nomination, and profiles of past recipients.
Theodore Sorensen the Keynote Speaker at ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards
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Theodore Sorensen, Special Counsel to President John F. Kennedy, was the keynote speaker at the ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards Luncheon held in Honolulu, Hawaii. More about Mr. Sorensen.
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 Theodore Sorensen
Special Counsel to
President John F. Kennedy
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Pro Bono Publico Award Winners Announced
The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service was truly impressed with the 29 Pro Bono Publico Award nominations received this year. Having considered all of the nominations, the Committee selected as recipients of the 2006 Awards the following lawyers and law firms for extraordinary contributions of legal services to those who cannot afford representation.
Ward B. Coe, Baltimore, MD
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:40 minutes 5.2 Mb
Debevoise & Plimpton L.L.P., New York, NY
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:52 minutes 5.5 Mb
Debra Brown Steinberg, New York, NY
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 4:04 minutes 5.7 Mb
Winston & Strawn L.L.P., Chicago, IL
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 4:00 minutes 5.6 Mb
Richard Zitrin, San Francisco, CA
Awards Video RealPlayer clip: 3:29 minutes 4.9 Mb
Winston & Strawn LLP was selected as the recipient of the Ann Liechty Pro Bono Award, a special award given to honor a lawyer or law firm who has provided outstanding pro bono legal services to children in custody cases.
ABA President Michael S. Greco and the Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service co-hosted the Awards presentation at the Pro Bono Publico Awards Assembly Luncheon in Honolulu, Hawaii. The luncheon and presentation were held at noon on Monday, August 7, 2006 at the Hawaii Convention Center.
For further information about the 2006 Pro Bono Publico Award winners . . .
New Discussion List on Pro Bono Being LaunchedThe ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is launching a nationwide list service to provide a forum for discussion about pro bono issues, models, initiatives, challenges, successes and any other topics relevant to any aspect of pro bono. All persons interested in promoting participation in pro bono legal services are welcome to join.
Read more about the new Pro Bono discussion list . . .
Allyn O'Connor Joins the Center for Pro Bono StaffAllyn O'Connor, an experienced business lawyer and a dedicated pro bono advocate, will join the Center for Pro Bono staff on Monday, March 13, as Assistant Staff Counsel to support the newly established Business Law Section Pro Bono Project.
Allyn's distinguished business and legal career has focused on the securities industry, and she brings to this position as well a strong commitment to pro bono. In 2003, Allyn was the recipient of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation's Distinguished Service Award.
ABA Section of Taxation Hotline for Hurricane Katrina ReliefLegal aid, legal services or pro bono advisors who are confronted with tax issues by their clients in preparing tax returns or addressing IRS compliance or audit initiatives relating to Hurricane Katrina or other natural disasters can now contact the American Bar Association's Tax Section for assistance.
View contact information for the hotline.
Workshop Addresses Impact of New Bankruptcy Law on Pro Bono LawyersThe Bankruptcy Subcommittee of the Pro Bono Committee of the ABA Business Law Section sponsored a workshop entitled
The Impact of the Bankruptcy Reform Act on Pro Bono -- Will Anyone Ever Agree to Represent Debtors Pro Bono? at the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges on November 2, 2005.
Other Handouts from the workshop can be obtained here.
Center Adds New Web Page on Nonprofits and Sarbanes-OxleyThe Center for Pro Bono has added a web page with resources on the American Competitiveness and Corporate Accountability Act of 2002, commonly known as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. At least two criminal provisions apply to nonprofit organizations: provisions prohibiting retaliation against whistleblowers and prohibiting the destruction, alteration or concealment of certain documents or the impediment of investigations. Additionally, nonprofits may want to consider voluntarily adopting the practices set forth in the rest of Sarbanes-Oxley as good business practice. To learn more about Sarbanes-Oxley and what it means to nonprofit organizations, please
click here.
Child Custody Project Now Seeking
Child Custody Grant AdvocatesThe ABA Child Custody Pro Bono Project has launched a new campaign. One of the project's initiatives that had a major impact for children was the awarding of almost $100,000 in mini-grants to organizations around the country. Having had great success with these past grants, the project will establish a five-year grant program. The grants for each of these five years will have a directed topic, as follows
- 2005: Implementing Standards and Trainings for Children's Lawyers
- 2006: Bringing Mental Health and Social Services into Child Advocacy Efforts
- 2007: Lawyers and Law School Clinics Partnering to Serve Children
- 2008: Judicial Awareness of the Benefits and Means of Appointing Child Advocates
- 2009: Evaluating Outcomes for Children with Advocates
The project's goal is to raise $300,000 of new funds to go to these efforts. These funds will be supplemented by the project's current funds, to allow the project to maintain its continuing efforts while adding the grant program as a new feature.
You can help us make this initiative a reality. The project is seeking Child Custody Grant Advocates to make five-year pledges to the grant program. There also is an option for a one-time contribution. All donations are made to the Fund for Justice and Education and are tax-deductible as a charitable donation. For more information about becoming a Child Custody Grant Advocate, contact Linda Rio by
email or call 312-988-5805.
New International Pro Bono PageThe Center has compiled a list of organizations and volunteer opportunities in the area of international pro bono.
View the page.
Video clips of the 2005 Pro Bono Publico Award Recipients Now Available The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service selected as recipients of the 2005 Awards the following lawyers for extraordinary contributions of legal services to those who cannot afford representation. To play back the Realplayer video clip just click on the awardees name.
- J. Philip Burt, Ft. Wayne, IN
- Deborah Ebel, Atlanta, GA
- Lawrence J. Fox, Philadelphia, PA
- Elizabeth McCallum, Washington, DC
- Jeffrey A. Simes, New York, NY
Deborah Ebel was selected as the recipient of the
Ann Liechty Pro Bono Award, a special award given to honor a lawyer who has provided outstanding pro bono legal services to children in custody cases.
For more information on these recipients, view this page.
Announcing a Free CLE Training on Representing Children in Civil Domestic Violence Cases The ABA Child Custody and Adoption Pro Bono Project, working with ABA CLE Now, has produced an online training program on
Representing Children in Civil Domestic Violence Cases. This training will be of value to any attorney working with children in cases where domestic violence allegations are or may be raised. This program is available free-of-charge on the ABA web site at
this location.
ABA Releases New Legal
Services Funding ResourceThe ABA's Project to Expand Resources for Legal Services (a project of the
Standing Committee on Legal Aid & Indigent Defendants) recently released a new edition of the fundraising manual
Innovative Fundraising Ideas for Legal Services. The manual offers an extensive list of potential fundraising initiatives, providing a range of options for action by the bar and legal services providers.
Col. Will A. Gunn the Keynote Speaker at ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards
| ABA President Robert J. Grey and the Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service co-hosted the Awards presentation at the Pro Bono Publico Awards Assembly Luncheon in Chicago, IL., at noon on Monday, August 8, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
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| The keynote speaker at the Luncheon was Colonel Will A. Gunn, Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Military Commissions (OMC) Chief Defense Counsel.
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| Col. Gunn is responsible for supervising all defense activities and the efforts of Detailed Defense Counsel to ensure zealous representation of all Accused referred to trial before a military commission . More about Col. Will A. Gunn. |
ABA Section of Taxation Announces Two Key Resources for the Charitable Sector Responding to a flurry of recent legislative and regulatory events that highlight the need for charities to both comply with tax-exemption mandates and be appropriately governed, the Pro Bono Committee of the ABA Tax Law Section has announced a project to alert lawyers about the availability of two key IRS resources geared to charities and their advisors. Read more here.
ABA Releases Online, Complimentary Audio-CLE Programs Designed for Pro Bono Attorneys The ABA recently released two online, complimentary audio-cle programs -- Expanding Your Horizons through Pro Bono Mediation and Ethical Aspects of Providing Legal Advice and Legal Information -- designed to support the work of pro bono attorneys. ABA-CLE , the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and its Center for Pro Bono produced these programs.
ABA Releases Dispute Resolution Manual The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution recently released Manual for Legal Services and Pro Bono Mediation Programs. The Manual, which the Section developed to assist legal services and pro bono programs in developing mediation programs, includes tips on funding and staffing a pro bono mediation program and integrating volunteers into a program.
Business Law Pro Bono Project adopts the ABC Discussion List
The ABC (A Business Commitment) listserve has now become the PB-ABC_PROBONO listserve, hosted by the American Bar Association's Center for Pro Bono. The Business Law Pro Bono Project is a joint project of the ABA Business Law Section and the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service.
Building on the fine work of A Business Commitment (ABC) and its Executive Director, Guy Lescault, the Business Law Project will support Business Law Section initiatives to promote and expand business lawyer pro bono activity. Those who wish to be added to the discussion list may join by sending a blank email to PB-ABC_PROBONO-subscribe-request@mail.abanet.org or by going to the list's web page.
ABA Child Custody and Adoption Pro Bono Project Announces 2005 Grants
The Child Custody and Adoption Pro Bono Project (the "Project") is pleased to announce the award of $50,000 to enhance the connection between legal advocacy for children in custody cases and critical mental health and social services. Five programs from around the country will share the award. These grants will address (1) the need for more mental health and social service training, mentoring, partnering, consulting and cross-education of legal professionals with mental health or social service professionals; (2) ways for children's attorneys to tap into free or low-cost mental health and social services for their clients; and (3) development of local mental health and social service resource materials for children's attorneys and their clients.
More information about the five grants . . .
Report on the Impact of Family Law Cases on Pro Bono Programs Is Now Available
The ABA Center for Pro Bono recently completed a survey of the impact of family law cases on pro bono programs. The Center compiled the survey results and recommendations on how programs can bridge the gap between supply and demand for family law pro bono, in a report titled "The Impact of Family Law Cases on Pro Bono Programs."
Report on the Impact of Legal Services Program Reconfiguration on Pro Bono Now Available
The ABA Center for Pro Bono has completed a study designed to examine the impact of recent legal services program reconfigurations on pro bono delivery systems and private attorney involvement. The study examined eighteen reconfigured programs at different stages of reconfiguration. The reconfigured programs included both staffed and pro bono delivery models in both urban and rural areas of the country. For more information, read the report on the study.
New Web-based Directory of Law School Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs
Rural Pro Bono Delivery Guide Is Now Available
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| The ABA Standing Committee and its project the Center for Pro Bono announce the publication of Rural Pro Bono Delivery: A Guide to Pro Bono Legal Services in Rural Areas. Rural Pro Bono Delivery, designed as a resource for legal services providers, bar associations and volunteer lawyer programs looking for ways to serve clients in rural areas and strengthen the support system for the advocates who help rural clients, contains much useful information, including an analysis of the barriers to rural legal services delivery, examples of strategies that have been used successfully by many projects, and links to other rural resources.
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The ABA House of Delegates approves Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Children in Custody Cases
The Child Custody Pro Bono Project has worked with the ABA Family Law Section on Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Children in Custody Cases. The Standards have been adopted by the Family Law Section, and approved by the ABA House of Delegates in August 2003. The Standards present best practices for procedural, practical, and ethical issues faced by lawyers representing children in private custody cases.
Dialogue Magazine
Link to Dialogue Magazine, the publication of the ABA Division for Legal Services, which brings you news about the delivery of legal services to low and moderate income people.
Legal Services Now
Link to Legal Services Now, the bi-monthly newsletter covering the latest developments in delivery of legal services to the poor.
2004 Pro Bono Publico Award Winners
Four lawyers and one law firm received this year's
Pro Bono Publico Awards.
- Roy E. Barnes, Atlanta, GA
- Stephen Cullen, Towson, MD
- Toby H. Hollander, Portland, ME
- Warren Sinsheimer, New York, NY
- Arnold & Porter LLP, Washington, D.C.
Toby Hollander received the
Ann Liechty Pro Bono Award, a special award given to honor a lawyer who has provided outstanding pro bono legal services to children in custody cases.
The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service was honored to provide special recognition to Kenneth Feinberg who served in a pro bono capacity as Special Master for the Victims Compensation Fund (VCF). The VCF was enacted by Congress after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and was established to provide a no fault legal process to compensate the victims and the families of the terrorist attacks of that day. As the VCF's Special Master, Mr. Feinberg has carried the major burden of implementing the directive of Congress to provide a fair and efficient process of compensation. He has worked diligently, without any personal compensation, carrying out his work in an exemplary manner.
Announcing the 2003 ABA Pro Bono Publico Award Recipients The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service has selected the following as recipients of the 2003 ABA Pro Bono Publico Award.
- Kimball Anderson, Winston & Strawn Law Firm, Chicago, IL
- Mary Pat Toups, Laguna Woods, CA
- Latham & Watkins, LLP
- Pfizer Inc. Legal Division, New York, NY
- Jacqueline Valdespino, Valdespino & Associates, Coconut Grove, FL
Jacqueline Valdespino was selected as the recipient of the
Ann Liechty Pro Bono Award, a special award given to honor a lawyer who has provided outstanding pro bono legal services to children in custody cases. For more information go to the
Pro Bono Publico Awards page.
Microsoft and the ABA announce a joint pro bono immigration project (2/3/2003)
The ABA and Microsoft recently announced a new pro bono legal project that will offer free legal assistance to detained immigrants seeking asylum or facing other immigration court-related issues. Read the news release.
2003 Mini-Grants Announced to Benefit Children in Custody Cases
The Child Custody Pro Bono Project has announced its 2003 mini-grants to seven organizations actively engaged in delivering pro bono legal services to children in custody cases. The 2003 Mini-Grants, totaling $43,500, are funding efforts that use volunteer lawyers to represent indigent or needy children. The 2003 grant recipients are:
- Children's Law Center (Covington, Kentucky)
- Children's Law Center (Washington, D.C.)
- The Law Foundation of Prince George's County, MD (Hyattsville, Maryland)
- Legal Aid of East Tennessee (Knoxville, Tennessee)
- Put Something Back (Miami, Florida)
- Support Center for Child Advocates (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Na Keiki (The Children's) Law Center Project (Honolulu, Hawaii).
Business Law Today highlights Pro Bono activities (September/October 2002)
Business Law Today in its September/October issue has several articles on a pro bono theme. When help is hard to find explains why non-profits must have access to legal expertise, Building neighborhoods considers how pro bono effects community building, the article From database to dedication discusses the method used by Richmond, Virginia, to link business lawyers with those needing help and Getting public service on the agenda profiles Mary Ann O'Connor's work in Chicago.
Rosalynn Carter speaks on the Death Penalty in America (August 2002)
| We were honored to have the Former First Lady and Vice Chair of the Carter Center, Rosalynn Carter, as our keynote speaker at the Pro Bono Publico awards ceremony. She spoke strongly about the problems of the American system of capital punishment, the need for a moratorium on the death penalty, and what is needed to provide competent legal defense for those who can least afford it. Read the full text of her speech. |
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"ABA Rural Pro Bono Project Mini-Grants" (11/20/01)
Help Extend Pro Bono Legal Services to Rural Areas.
"Law in the Vast Lane" (ABA Journal, 9/01)
As many rural areas of North Dakota and other states in the Great Plains lose population, access to legal services may be at risk as well. But lawyers plan to stick it out as long as they can.
"Self Help Speeds Up" (ABA Journal, 7/01)
The ABA Journal examines the rise in pro se litigants and the justice system's response to their presence.
New ABA Web Offers Help in Resolving Legal Matters (6/8/01)
The ABA announces the creation of findlegalhelp.org, which offers information to consumers seeking legal help on the internet, including how to find a lawyer through legal aid, pro bono and bar-sponsored lawyer referral programs and resources for people who choose to handle legal problems on their own.
ABA Immigration Project Awards More Than $100,000 in Grants (6/1/01)
The ABA Immigration and Pro Bono Development and Bar Activation Project awards more than $100,000 in grants to projects that provide legal services to newcomers to the U.S., including detained immigrant and refugee children.
ABA 2001 Pro Bono Publico Award Recipients (5/1/01)
The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service announces the recipients of the 2001 ABA Pro Bono Publico Award.
ABA President Martha Barnett describes "Angels of Justice" (ABA Journal, 4/01)
In her column, ABA President Martha Barnett discusses the need for attorneys to perform pro bono work and highlights the work of an angel of justice, the late Ann Liechty, who prior to her untimely death devoted hundreds of pro bono hours providing legal services to needy children.
"Doing Well by Doing Good" (12/1/00)
The December ABA Journal features a series of articles on pro bono, including:
- "Boosting for Pro Bono,"
- "Consumer Law is a Growth Business,"
- "Asylum May Be a Matter of Life and Death,"
- "Adoption is the Best Kind of Family Law," and
- "Public Sector Obstacles are Vanishing."
Six Mini-Grants Awarded to Help Pro Bono Legal Services Reach Impoverished Rural Americans (9/13/00)
Pro Bono Around the World
New Jersey Supreme Court adopts Katrina Rule
Kentucky Bar Association Adopts Resolution in Support of Medical Legal Collaboratives for Children
"Lawyers Have a Special Responsibility for the Quality of Justice" speech by Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon
These are the remarks of Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Ronald Moon at the Hawaii State Bar Association. Read the speech
New Hampshire to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Emeritus Rule
The New Hampshire Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules has announced a Public Hearing on December 12, 2007, to consider comments on proposed new Supreme Court Rule 42-D, regarding a limited certificate of admission to provide pro bono legal services for retired and inactive attorneys from New Hampshire or any other state meeting certain requirements. For further information see
http://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/orders/Noticeofpublichearing&rules.pdf.
Mississippi adopts Pro Bono Publicus Rule
On October 15, 2007, the Supreme Court of Mississippi adopted an Amendment to Rule 46 of the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure to include a provision for Pro Bono Publicus Attorneys. A Pro Bono Publicus Attorney is (a) an inactive member of the Mississippi Bar who is not otherwise engaged in the practice of law; or (b) an attorney licensed in a state other than Mississippi who will provide free legal services under the supervision of a qualified legal services provider and neither asks for nor receives personal compensation of any kind for the legal services rendered. A qualified legal services provider is a not-for-profit legal aid organization that is approved by the Mississippi Bar. An attorney who complies with the rule permitting practices as a pro bono publicus attorney shall not be deemed to be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in Mississippi. The purpose of Rule 46(f) is to permit and encourage attorneys who do not engage in the active practice of law in Mississippi to provide legal representation to persons who cannot afford private legal services. See
http://www.mssc.state.ms.us/Images/Opinions/143112.pdf.
The Washington State Bar Association proposes amendments to state Supreme Court concerning practice of law after a major disaster.
The Washington State Bar Association has submitted a
proposed Admission to Practice rule concerning the Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster to the Washington Supreme Court. They have also submitted a
proposed amendment to the Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5 on the practice of law after a major disaster. If the Supreme Court agrees to consider adoption of this rule, it is expected to be published for comment in January with the comment period to end April 30. If the Court adopts the rule it will be republished in June and take effect September 1, 2008.
South Dakota Adopts Emeritus Attorney Pro Bono Rule
South Dakota becomes the 25th state to adopt an Emeritus Attorney Pro Bono Rule.
http://www.sdjudicial.com/downloads/sc/rules/y2007/r0704.pdf
. The new rule becomes effective 1/1/08.
For more information on South Dakota's new rule, contact Tom Barnett, Thomas.Barnett@sdbar.net. For more information on emeritus attorney pro bono rules and programs, contact Holly Robinson, robinsoh@staff.abanet.org.
Dallas Attorney Discusses Effect of Pro Bono Work in KERA Radio Broadcast
William Holston, a Dallas attorney, speaks about the strong effect pro bono work has had upon him in this sound clip from
KERA's This I Believe: Servitude
Supreme Court of Iowa Adopts "Katrina Court Rule" for Future Emergencies
On May 14, 2007, effective immediately, the Supreme Court of Iowa entered an Order adopting a "Katrina Court Rule" which provides that, after the Supreme Court of Iowa, or the highest court in another jurisdiction to which displaced persons temporarily relocate, determines that an emergency exists that affects the state's justice system and the provision of legal services, the Court will allow: 1. Out-of-state lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to the citizens of the affected state within certain constraints described in the rule, and; 2. Lawyers from an affected state can provide legal services in Iowa on a temporary basis if the services are reasonably related to the lawyer's practice in the affected jurisdiction. (See
http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/wfdata/frame4548-1671/File45.pdf.) Iowa is the first state to adopt a rule based on the American Bar Association's
Model Court Rule on Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster. For further information,
contact John Holtaway, Client Protection Counsel, ABA Standing Committee on Client Protection, or
email Tony Barash Director, ABA Center for Pro Bono.
Read more about the adoption of this rule.
LawHelp.org wins 2007 Webby Award for Best Law Website
The winner of the 2007 Webby Award for Best Law Website is
LawHelp.org, a portal that provides low and moderate income individuals with access to legal services. This unique site, which offers state-based legal referrals, know-your-rights information and a variety of self-help tools, was created and is managed by Pro Bono Net, the nonprofit leader in technology solutions to expand access to justice for those in need.
More about LawHelp.org and the Webby
Judge Robert Katzmann (US Ct of App, 2nd Cir.) Calls on Pro Bono Lawyers to Meet the Unmet Legal Needs of the Immigrant Poor [Sponsored and presented by the Orison S. Marden Lecture Series of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.]
The Legal Profession and the Unmet Needs of the Immigrant Poor, this year's Orison S. Marden Lecture of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, was delivered on February 28, 2007 by
Judge Robert Katzmann US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Here is the text of the lecture.
Troutman Sanders, allied with the American Cancer Society, will do pro bono estate planning for low-income individuals with cancer in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Troutman Sanders LLP is pleased to announce a new pro bono alliance with the American Cancer Society and the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Through this alliance, the law firm will provide free basic estate planning services on a pro bono basis to low-income individuals with cancer in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Read the press release.
The Louisiana Road Home Program Offers Compensation to Homeowners Affected by Hurricanes
The Louisiana Road Home program was developed to help Louisiana residents get back into their homes as quickly and as fairly as possible. Through the Road Home, homeowners affected by Katrina or Rita may be eligible to receive up to $150,000 in compensation for their losses to get them back into their homes. A brochure is viewable at
http://www.road2la.org/Docs/RdHomeBrochure.pdf.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for assistance, residents must
- have owned and occupied the home as their main residence at the time
of the hurricane
- have been in a single- or double-unit structure
- have sustained "major" or "severe" damage or been destroyed
- understand that if they were uninsured but should have had insurance
(i.e., live in a flood plain but did not have insurance) then they
are still eligible for the program, but sustain a 30 percent penalty.
Currently 10 Housing Assistance Centers are open across South Louisiana. A listing of these centers with contact information is attached for your reference as is a copy of the process.
Anyone interested in applying for this assistance is urged to call 1-888-ROAD-2-LA (1-888-762-3252) or go to www.road2LA.org to apply online.
Please keep in mind that once they apply (and yes, this is different than registration) they will receive written notification regarding their next steps. If they are found eligible, they will then set up a personal appointment with an advisor at the Centers. People are urged to wait for their appointment so that they may have a reserved time to meet directly with their advisor to make a determination about their decision - whether they will stay and rebuild, relocate within Louisiana, or move out of state. This meeting with their advisor is very individualized and critical.
Uniform Representation of Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Custody Proceedings Act approved by NCCUSL
In July 2006, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws approved the
Uniform Representation of Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Custody Proceedings Act. This Act will serve as a great improvement in the representation of children across the country. For more information, see the
NCCUSL Press Release, and the
Act itself. The Act will now come before the ABA for approval, after which it will be submitted for adoption in every state. The Project is honored to have served as an Observer on the NCCUSL Drafting Commission, and to have supported passage of the Act.
Illinois Becomes a Mandatory Reporting State for Pro Bono
The Illinois Supreme Court will now require lawyers in the state to report, at their annual registration, their pro bono efforts--the approximate number of voluntary hours given to pro bono during a 12 month period as well as their monetary contributions.
Read the press release.
Read the Supreme Court Order.
FEMA Appeals Case Materials Now Available To assist lawyers who have volunteered to help the victims of the Gulf Coast hurricanes,
Probononet has gathered together documents relevant to handling appeals of FEMA claims denials
and placed them on a special web page at
http://www.probono.net/ms/fema.cfm.
Equal Justice Works and Newsweek.com launch The E-Guide to Public Service at America's Law Schools
The E-Guide to Public Service in America's Law Schools is a new interactive online directory of public interest programs and curricula at 117 law schools within the United States. It is a resource for law school applicants, law students, attorneys, professors and others seeking a broad range of free information about public interest programs and curricula at law schools. For more information and to visit the E-Guide, see
ejw.newsweek.com.
Resource now available for New Orleans Property Owners Affected by Hurricane KatrinaThe question and answer document "New Orleans Property Owners' Rights After Hurricane Katrina" has been produced by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Weil Gotshal and is a helpful reference for property owners in New Orleans.
View the New Orleans Property Owners' Rights After Hurricane Katrina document here.
Death of Tanya Neiman a Loss
for Pro Bono Community
 |
| The pro bono, legal services, legal and poverty communities (and many others) mourn the passing of Tanya Neiman. Tanya served as the director of the San Francisco Bar Association's Volunteer Legal Services Program for over 23 years. She was an innovator and visionary who committed her career to helping others and making a difference.
Tanya transformed the Volunteer Legal Services Program into one of the largest and most innovative legal services programs in the country. She pioneered the development of unique models of delivering services, including holistic advocacy, forging a multidisciplinary approach to helping clients change their lives.
Information about a planned memorial service and endowment fund will be posted at http://www.sfbar.org/volunteer/tanya_neiman.aspx. A memorial event celebrating Tanya will be held at the 2006 Equal Justice Conference (March 30 through April 1--Philadelphia, PA).
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State Bar of Wisconsin Releases Report on Pro Bono SurveyIn October 2005, the State Bar of Wisconsin conducted a survey of Wisconsin lawyers' pro bono contributions in order to develop a better picture of the different types of pro bono contributions made by members. The survey results show that State Bar members substantially contribute towards serving the unmet needs of those in Wisconsin who cannot afford a lawyer. Attorneys who provided free or reduced fee legal services to individuals with limited incomes and organizations that serve the poor reported an average of 116 pro bono hours last year.
Read the report,
read the statistical summary of the report (Appendix A),
read on pro bono contributions (Appendix B).
.
Louisiana Supreme Court Issues Supplemental Emergency Pro Bono Civil Legal Assistance RuleOn January 20, 2006, the Supreme Court of Louisiana issued an Order promulgating a supplemental emergency pro bono civil legal assistance rule to permit non-admitted lawyers to render temporary pro bono civil legal services to victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.
The Order expands the legal services providers and lawyer-supervised pro bono agencies through which pro bono services may be rendered to:
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation
- Acadiana Legal Services Corporation
- Capital Area Legal Services Corporation
- Legal Services of North Louisiana, Inc.
- Southwest Louisiana Legal Services Society, Inc.; and
- The Pro Bono Project (New Orleans)
The rule will remain in effect for one year.
View the entire Order which includes information regarding application for a limited certification of pro bono practice in Louisiana. Here is the Application for Out-Of-State Attorneys Seeking to Render Pro Bono Assistance.
Equal Justice Works Seeks Americorps Attorneys to Assist Hurricane VictimsIn response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Equal Justice Works plans to expand its Pro Bono Legal Corps program, sending 10 Equal Justice Works/AmeriCorps Attorneys to the hardest hit areas in the Gulf Coast region. These attorneys will be placed at organizations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to help the hundreds of thousands of people left without homes, jobs and social services due to the damage from the hurricane. For more information or if you are interested in serving as a Katrina Pro Bono Legal Corps member,
click here.
Equal Justice Works Seeks Host Organizations for Pro Bono Legal CorpsEqual Justice Works is seeking legal aid and pro bono organizations to expand its AmeriCorps program, the Pro Bono Legal Corps. The Pro Bono Legal Corps will place AmeriCorps attorneys at qualified host organizations to expand legal assistance to low-income and underserved communities by engaging law schools and law student volunteers in the delivery of legal services. For further information
view the announcement. For detailed application instructions,
click here.
Indiana Clarifies Judicial Participation in Pro BonoThe Indiana Supreme Court has amended Canon 4 of the Code of Judicial Conduct to clarify that support of pro bono legal services is an activity that relates to the improvement of the legal system and the administration of justice. Accordingly, a judge may engage in activities intended to encourage attorneys to perform pro bono services. The new rule becomes effective January 1, 2006. Read the text of the amended rule and comment at
this page.
FEMA-YLD Disaster Manual Now AvailableSee the FEMA-ABA Young Lawyers Division
Manual for Disaster Legal Services (Summer 2004, 6.9 Mb) for further information about the FEMA-YLD Disaster Legal Services Program.
Pamela Robinson Receives Volunteer Administrator of the Year AwardPamela D. Robinson, Director of the Pro Bono Program at the University of South Carolina Law School, recently received the Association for Volunteer Administration's Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award.
This Award honors an AVA member for excellence in the field of volunteer resources management, who serves as a mentor for new volunteer administrators, demonstrates a commitment to the professional ethical values of AVA, promotes volunteerism within his/her organization and/or within the community while managing an effective volunteer program, engages volunteers in an extraordinary way to improve the community, and demonstrates overall competency in the field of volunteer administration. For the full press release, please click here. To visit the Law School's pro bono website, please click here.
LSC Releases Report on Justice Gap in AmericaThe Legal Services Corporation has released "Documenting the Justice Gap in America: The Current Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Americans," a report that concludes that at least 80 percent of the civil legal needs of low-income Americans are not being met.
Northwestern Law Students Help Small InvestorsWith the opening of the Investor Protection Center at Northwestern University School of Law's Bluhm Legal Clinic, Chicago-area small investors who have experienced problems with their securities transactions will now have access to legal help. The Center, through funding from the NASD Investor Education Foundation, will offer private representation to people with insufficient income or small claims, typically under $100,000, in resolving securities claims through arbitration. For more information,
go to the news release.
Pro Bono Assistance Needed
For Detained Immigrants and
Refugees in South TexasClick here for more information from Texas ProBAR.
Article Highlights Compelling Reasons to Do Pro Bono Family LawRead a
May 2005 article from the Washington State
Bar News presenting reasons to volunteer for family law cases. The article was written by a staff attorney for the Domestic Violence Legal Fund, a program begun by Eastside Legal Assistance Program to provide direct representation in family law matters to low-income domestic violence survivors in King County.
Stanford Law School's Pro Bono Initiative Enjoys Strong ParticipationAn article in the Stanford Daily On-line Edition,
"Law Students spend time outside the classroom doing pro bono work" discusses the success of the Law School's Pro Bono Initiative adopted in 2003. The initiative encourages students to perform at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono work during their course of studies at the Law School. In only the second year of this program, half of the 2005 graduating class will earn a Pro Bono Distinction at graduation.
Firmwide Mandatory Pro Bono
Policy at Gordon SiegelA recent article in
The New York Law Journal entitled
Small Firm Makes Pro Bono Mandatory describes the new mandatory pro bono program at the law firm of Gordon, Siegel, Mastro, Mullaney, Gordon & Galvin in Albany, New York. Partners in the 12 attorney firm must perform 24 hours of direct delivery of pro bono services or pay their hourly rate to not-for-profit organizations that provide legal services to the indigent.
New Bankruptcy Law,
New Listserv from NCLCA new, bankruptcy law listserv is now being hosted by the National Consumer Law Center. Open to legal services, pro bono coordinators and volunteer lawyers programs LSC-funded or not, the listserv will address the host of questions and fears brought about by the new bankruptcy act and its impact on lawyers willing to represent consumers. To join, email NCLC staff attorney
.
Indiana Supreme Court To
Adopt Universal IOLTA PlanThousands of indigent residents of Indiana will have greater access to justice following a decision by the Indiana Supreme Court to fold all Indiana lawyer trust accounts into the Court's current trust account program.
The decision by the Supreme Court to bring all lawyer trust accounts into the seven-year old Interest On Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) program is expected to generate an additional $75,000 to $200,000 annually for programs that encourage Indiana lawyers to provide free, or pro bono, civil legal services to the indigent. Read the rest of this story.
2003 Maryland Pro Bono
Reporting Results are ReleasedThe Administrative Office of the Courts of the State of Maryland recently released its report titled
Current Status of Pro Bono Service Among Maryland Lawyers, Year 2003 which summarizes the results from the second year of attorneys' required reporting of pro bono activity. The court contracted with an independent company (ANASYS) to administer the process and compile the reporting results.
Maryland Rule 16-903 (effective July 1, 2002) requires that all Maryland attorneys authorized to practice law in the state annually report on their pro bono activities. The definition of pro bono service was redefined by the Court of Appeals in Rule 6.1 with an "aspirational" goal of 50 hours of service for full-time practitioners with a "substantial portion" of those hours dedicated to legal services to people of limited means. Key Findings and Link to Full Report.
Nevada Supreme Court Makes Annual
Pro Bono Reporting MandatoryIn May 2003, the Nevada Supreme Court approved an amendment to its Rule 191 that now requires all members of the bar to submit annual reports on their pro bono service. Nevada is now the third state in the country, following Florida and Maryland, to require annual reporting of pro bono service. In addition to making reporting a requirement, the Nevada rule amendment adds "service in law-related education sponsored by the Nevada Bar Association" to its list of recommended pro bono service.
The rule asks lawyers to contribute: a minimum of twenty (20) hours annually of free pro bono services; or sixty (60) hours of services at reduced fees to persons of limited means; or a minimum of $500 yearly to organizations providing pro bono services. Nevada has a unified bar, and the report forms will be provided by the state bar with the members' fee statements.
New York State Reports on Pro BonoOn January 15, 2004 the Unified Court System issued
"The Future of Pro Bono in New York," a report comprised of a survey of 2002 pro bono activity in New York and recommendations for increasing pro bono that emerged from four Pro Bono Convocations, attended by representatives from bar associations, legal services and pro bono providers, judges, lawyers and legal educators, held throughout the state in 2002.
The report recommends instituting a statewide pro bono system to increase the amount of time New York attorneys spend rendering free legal services to the poor and to promote participation in pro bono by a greater percentage of the state's bar. Comments on the recommendations may be sent to the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, Office of Court Administration through April 15, 2004.
Bankruptcy Pro Bono
Grants AvailableThe American College of Bankruptcy and the American College of B
