Pro Bono News Archive
The ABA Section of Taxation is pleased to announce our new Public Service Fellowship award program, developed to address the need for tax legal service assistance around the country, and to foster an interest in tax-related public service for those lawyers who participate.
The Public Service Fellowships are open to recent J.D. and LL.M. graduates and judicial clerks who commit to working in tax-related public interest, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations for two years. Applicants must select and arrange employment with those organizations prior to applying for the Fellowship, and must confirm that their work will involve taxation or the administration of tax law. Up to two Fellowships will be awarded each year, and the Section will fund the salary, benefits and law school debt service (when applicable) for each awardee. The Section is now accepting applications for the 2009 Fellowships, with a deadline of October 15, 2008.
The Tax Section has always encouraged our members to participate in pro bono work, and we believe that those who do so contribute to a more accessible and equitable tax system. The Fellowship program is one more way that the Section can provide a meaningful way for our members to give back to their communities. Please feel free to pass information about the Fellowships along to those who may have an interest in applying. Detailed information, and a downloadable application, is available here. http://www.abanet.org/tax/awards/publicservice/
The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service recognized three lawyers, one law firm and one law school with its 2008 Pro Bono Publico Awards on Monday, Aug.11, at its Awards Assembly Luncheon in New York City, during the ABA Annual Meeting.
ABA President William H. Neukom presented the 2008 awards. "This year's recipients of the Pro Bono Publico Awards symbolize the best of our profession," said Neukom. "Through their efforts on behalf of others, they represent the tens of thousands of lawyers in this country who deliver on the promise of equal justice for all."
The annual awards honor individuals or organizations in the legal community that deliver volunteer legal services to the poor or disadvantaged.
The 2008 honorees are:
- Craig Cannon of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, N.C., who provided approximately 700 hours of pro bono service in 2007 as the National Coordinator of the ABA's Disaster Legal Services Program, jointly managed by the ABA and FEMA, and his participation with the North Carolina Bar Association's 4 All Task Force - Awards Video: Windows Media Player clip, 3:32 minutes 11 Mb;
- Fordham University School of Law, Public Interest Resource Center, in New York City, where nearly 500 Fordham Law School students participated in some form of pro bono or public service through the center. The class of 2007 contributed more than 100,000 hours to such programs as the Domestic Violence Awareness Center and the Death Penalty Defense Project - Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 3:49 minutes 12 Mb;
- David A. Kutik of Jones Day in Cleveland, who has worked actively with pro bono programs throughout his 28-year law career, delivering legal services to those in need. He established an initiative during his term as president of the Cleveland Bar Association to encourage pro bono service by that city's lawyers, and he currently participates in Saturday morning referral clinics operated by the Legal Aid Society in Cleveland - Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 3:41 minutes 11 Mb;
- DLA Piper operates one of the most robust pro bono programs among law firms in the United States, with more than 95 percent of the firm's lawyers working 20 hours or more on pro bono projects last year, and with its lawyers working an average of 89 hours each on pro bono projects in 2006 - Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 3:36 minutes 11 Mb.
- Sarah M. Singleton, has a long-term commitment to access to justice in New Mexico. She is a past-president of the state bar association and former co-chair of its Legal Services and Program committee. She currently is co-chair of New Mexico's Commission on Access to Justice and is also a member of the Board of the Legal Services Corporation - Awards Video Windows Media Player clip, 3:29 minutes 11 Mb.
More information on the Pro Bono Publico Awards and the 2008 recipients is available at http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/probono/pbp_current_recipients.html.
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.
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2007 Awards Overview |
2007 Awards All Awards Compilation |
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
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 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.
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.
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 .
- 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
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 .
A limited number of printed brochures are available to pro bono programs on request by contacting staff 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.
Click here to find out more about the Perkins Award, requirements for nomination, and profiles of past recipients.
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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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 Special Counsel to President John F. Kennedy
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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 . . .
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.
Child Custody Grant Advocates
- 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
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.
- 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
For more information on these recipients, view this page.
Services Funding Resource
| 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. |  |
| The keynote speaker at the Luncheon was Colonel Will A. Gunn, Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Military Commissions (OMC) Chief Defense Counsel. | |
| 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
| The Directory of Law School Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs is designed to assist prospective law students interested in public interest and pro bono programs find the law school that best matches their interests and to assist individual law schools seeking to develop strong pro bono and public interest programs. For more information, access the directory. |
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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 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
| The Awards were presented at the Pro Bono Publico Awards luncheon in Atlanta, GA. ABA President Dennis W. Archer hosted the Pro Bono Awards Luncheon. |  |
| The keynote speech was given by the Honourable Irwin Cotler, who is the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. |  |
- 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.
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
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. |  |
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.
Six Mini-Grants Awarded to Help Pro Bono Legal Services Reach Impoverished Rural Americans (9/13/00)
Pro Bono Around the World
Looking for Tax Deductions? Don't Forget Pro Bono Expenditures
LexisNexis is pleased to provide qualified legal services organizations with donations of HotDocs software. The HotDocs Software Donation Program allows qualified organizations to request HotDocs software for each computer in the organization's offices.
Legal services organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and organizations that receive funds through their state Interest on Legal Trust Accounts (IOLTA) programs are eligible to participate in the HotDocs Software Donation Program. LSC Announcement of this program. Apply for HotDocs Software Donation
See the press release. An updated version of this 2003 publication will be available within the next few days. Direct link to 2003 PDF version (1.1 mb)
These are the remarks of Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Ronald Moon at the Hawaii State Bar Association. Read the speech
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.
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.
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.
for Pro Bono Community
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| 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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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)
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.
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.
For Detained Immigrants and
Refugees in South Texas
Policy at Gordon Siegel
New Listserv from NCLC
Adopt Universal IOLTA Plan
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.
Reporting Results are Released
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.
Pro Bono Reporting Mandatory
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.
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.
Grants Available
If you are interested in applying, go to the College website, www.amercol.org and find the link on the "Pro Bono Grants" section for an application and information on grants. If you have any questions, please feel free to call George Cauthen at 803-255-9425.
for the Second Circuit adopts
Plan for the Appointment
of Pro Bono Counsel
Cases for which pro bono counsel will be appointed include a broad range of legal issues. While a significant percentage of the cases are prisoner civil rights appeals, many other issues may be included, such as those involving labor and employment, discrimination, social security, immigration, and tax law.
Follow this link for more about this Pro Bono Panel
30 New York Law Firms Make Pro Bono Commitment
Mississippi Revises Rule 6.1 to Include Mandatory Pro Bono Reporting On March 21, 2005, the Supreme Court of Mississippi adopted a new Rule 6.1 of the Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct 6.1 that now requires attorneys to annually report the number of hours they dedicate to pro bono legal services; whether this obligation was satisfied through a collective plan; or whether the obligation was met through a financial contribution. The new Rule 6.1 states that the pro bono obligation is aspirational in nature - not mandatory - and that failure to do pro bono service is not a basis for discipline under the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi Bar.
View the full text of the rule here.
For additional information on Mississippi's Rule 6.1, please contact Shirley Williams, Executive Director, Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Program, Mississippi State Bar, 601/948-4476, swilliams@msbar.org.
Equal Justice Works Announces 2005 Fellowship Class Equal Justice Works has announced its 2005 Fellowship Class. This diverse group of fellows representing 38 law schools will spend two years providing underserved non-profit organizations with legal services in 14 different states and the District of Columbia in fifteen different issue areas. To read more about the various projects in which Equal Justice Works has provided fellowship funding, click here.
- The Canadian Bar Association's journal National of August 4, 2004's cover story is Mélanie Raymond's Pro Bono Rising.
- The Judicial Conference of the District of Columbia Circuit's Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services recently released "Law Firm Pro Bono Programs: Learning from Success," a report summarizing practices to assist law firms in their efforts to evaluate and enhance their pro bono programs. Also of interest is the Committee's Report of June 2002 which summarizes the results of the Committee's 2002 survey of federal agencies and law firms on their activities to promote and support pro bono work by the organized bar.
- The Spring 2004 issue of the Vermont Bar Journal is dedicated to Access to Justice.
- The Corporate Counsel article "Breaking Grounds Paula Boggs gives a Starbucks pro bono program a double espresso boost" by Sue Reisinger discusses the General Counsel at Starbucks work in pro bono.
The New Hampshire Bar Association's Bar Journal devotes their December 2003 issue to Pro Bono: "Quest For Justice" Volume 44, Number 4.
The report describes general practice characteristics of Maryland lawyers, including geographical location, year of bar admittance, and primary practice area. Information about pro bono service includes an analysis of pro bono service by geographic location, recipients of pro bono service, pro bono participation by practice area, and volunteer time dedicated to improving law and the legal system. The report is available online at http://www.courts.state.md.us/probono/
probonoreport_2002.pdf
The Sao Paulo-based Instituto Pro Bono announces the International Pro Bono Legal Seminar, a two-day event in Sao Paulo, Brazil from December 4 to 5, 2003. Lawyers and legal professionals from 15 countries in the Americas, Africa and Europe will meet to move forward the rapidly developing pro bono legal culture and to facilitate a global dialogue on these initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.unfoundation.org/web_marketing/probono.htm.
The Arizona Business Gazette article "Legal Aid to Non-Profits Likely to Grow" by Luci Scott
The President of the Arizona Bar, Pam Treadwell-Rubin, calls for more legal aid to non profits.
The San Francisco Chronicle article "Lawyers turn to pro bono work Nonprofits get more free help in lean times" by Harriet Chiang
Although the business climate is difficult, affecting lawyers in general and pro bono programs in particular, the economic slowdown has led many lawyers to donate their services to pro bono.
The American Lawyer Media article "Victory for IOLTA Programs at Supreme Court" by Tony Mauro
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rescued IOLTA programs from a vigorous constitutional attack, ruling 5-4 that states may pool clients' escrow funds in bank accounts and give the interest to legal aid programs. Justice John Paul Stevens wrote that the Court assumed the IOLTA programs amount to a taking, albeit a minimal one, but that they are used for a valid public purpose.
The full opinion is available at: http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/01-1325.ZS.html
The Savannah Morning News article "Lawyer learns to fulfill final wishes " by Lanie Lippincott Peterson
Georgia Legal Services Program's Savannah regional office is developing a hospice-related pro bono project. Training is offered to teach attorneys how to serve terminally ill clients.
The New York Law Journal article "Surveys sent to 12,000 Lawyers to Assess Pro Bono for Indigent" by Daniel Wise
This article announces the 2003 survey which has been sent to 10 per cent of New York's lawyers. It has been five years since the Bar was last surveyed about the amount of pro bono work undertaken.
The New York Times article "Volunteerism Among Lawyers Surges, Encouraged by Slumping Economy " by Susan Saulny
The New York Times reports that more lawyers are doing pro bono work, in part, due to the slowed down economy.
National Law Journal's 2002 Pro Bono Awards
National Law Journal covers four individuals and three law firms in their 2002 Pro Bono Awards section.
International Pro Bono Directory Is Now Available
The Solicitor's Pro Bono Group (U.K.) recently released the International Pro Bono Directory 2002 . The Directory contains listings for organizations focused on a wide range of legal issues and located in a variety of countries.
Missouri Lawyers Pro Bono Survey A Missouri Bar Association study found that nearly 73 percent of Missouri's lawyers give some free legal help, according to a study, conducted by a University of Missouri researcher. For more information see the story or view the entire report
National Center on Poverty Law Publishes Poverty Law Manual
The National Center for Poverty Law's manual covers the basics of the principal legal issues facing low-income clients and addresses some of the skill issues particular to poverty law practice, including references to Web sites and other resources that offer more detailed information. In addition to being a valuable resource in developing training and support for volunteer attorneys, the manual's sections on "Learning About Your Community" and "What You May and May Not Do Under the Legal Services Corporations Restrictions" may be of great interest to pro bono programs. The manual is available at www.povertylaw.org without a subscription
The New York Times article "Law Schools Urge Graduates to Start Small and Think Local" by Greg Winter
The New York Times reports that a growing pool of law schools are urging their graduates to buck tradition, pass up big salaries and to join tiny neighborhood practices or simply start their own.
Tallahassee Democrat's article "Attorney Gives of His Time Generously" by James Rosica
This article profiles the 20 years of pro bono volunteer work of Richard M. Smith.
American Lawyer's annual report on the pro bono work
American Lawyer presents their annual report on the state of pro bono work in the last year.
Justice for All
Nat Hentoff's Legal Times article details how Law Schools can support their communities and graduates in the delivery of legal services. The focus is one group from the Law School Consortium Project, City University of New York's (CUNY) Community Legal Resource Network and shows how the CLRN can support the community initiatives of newly graduated lawyers in the delivery of high quality legal services.
Legal Assistance Center opens in Grand Rapids, MI
The Grand Rapids Bar Association (MI) recently opened the Legal Assistance Center (LAC) to help persons who cannot afford legal services. Funding for the LAC comes from private attorneys and law firms, the Grand Rapids Bar Foundation, and the Michigan State Bar Foundation. The LAC provides assistance to those persons who need basic legal advice, referrals for possible legal assistance, and pro se assistance and materials.
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Read the dynamic keynote speech of Gene Nichol, Dean of the University of North Carolina Law School, presented at the 2002 Equal Justice Conference. |
Volunteer Spirit The Recorder 8/22/2002
This article considers that, although economic pressure in the San Francisco Bay area are affecting the funding of legal services and pro bono programs, one positive effect is more attorneys volunteering their time pro bono to help clients in need.
Pro Bono Response Illustrates Ripple Effects of Sept. 11 Attacks New York Law Journal 8/1/02
This article covers several examples of how New York's legal community responded to the attacks by offering wide-ranging pro bono support to individuals and businesses.
Doing Good Works Legal Times 7/25/02
Legal Times publishes a special report, covering the pro bono activities of 41 law firms in the Washington D.C. area.
After Sept. 11, Record Number of Lawyers Answer the Call to Take on Pro Bono New York Law Journal 7/30/02
This article discusses how the massive volunteerism of New York lawyers has changed the perceptions of pro bono work.
The Am Law 100: An Overview American Lawyer 7/02/02
This article indicates that at many Am Law firms, pro bono hours have increased.
Lawyers Try to Improve Lot of Young Refugees New York Times 6/9/2002
This article describes a Latham & Watkins Project designed to assist detained children in INS custody. More than 100 lawyers at Latham & Watkins have worked on this project, including representing dozens of immigrant children in deportation and asylum cases, providing legal advice on bills in Congress and advocacy on the issue.
Maryland Court of Appeals Adopts New, Revised Pro Bono Rules 2/7/02
The Maryland Court of Appeals recently voted to revise the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) that govern pro bono service by attorneys. Among other things, the revised rules establish a mandatory reporting system for lawyers, set forth an aspirational goal for attorneys to perform 50 hours pro bono service per year, and establish a system of local pro bono committees for each county.
Making the Extra Effort? (Law.com 12/04)
The American Lawyer's annual Am Law 100 survey uses a strict definition of pro bono, excluding bar association work and time spent on boards of legal services organizations. But behind the rankings lie conflicting philosophies about what lawyers should give back to society and how that effort should be measured and managed. Although there may be no single best answer, here's how different firms are working to do their part.
World Trade Center Attack Aftermath (Law.com/NY Special Report 11/28)
This special report examines the issues that continue to impact the New York legal community following the attack on the World Trade Center. The package looks at zoning and environmental regulations relevant to rebuilding the World Trade Center site, commercial leases, landlord-tenant issues, the WARN act, the Federal Victim Recovery Act, as well as an overview of litigation involving victims, insurers, landlords and government.
California Governor Davis proclaims September 3-9, 2001 as "California Pro Bono Week."
" Strook Adopts Firehouses" (NY Law Journal 10/19/01)
This articles describes "Our Firehouse," a pro bono program developed by the Manhattan law firm, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. Under the program, trust and estate lawyers at Stroock have "adopted" a pair of Fire Department of New York station houses, providing free legal service to the surviving spouses and children of firefighters lost to the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
" Attorneys Worldwide Offer Support During Crisis (NY Law Journal, 10/5/01)
Following the World Trade Center disaster, the NY State Bar Association has received an outpouring of offers of assistance from all over the world.
" Lawyers Without Borders: The Border Patrol (JD Jungle, 10/05/01)
This article highlights Lawyers Without Borders, an non-profit organization which is assembling an international network of attorneys to provide legal assistance to needy defendants and creating a quality, affordable legal resource for nonprofit organizations around the world.
" Learning to Help (Texas Lawyer, 10/05/01)
This story discusses the trend towards mandatory pro bono in Texas law schools and the recent adoption of a mandatory policy by Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.
" Second Phase of Bar's WTC Pro Bono Effort Draws Hundreds (NY Law Journal, 10/3/01)
This story reports on the response of hundreds of New York City lawyers to assist victims of the World Trade Center disaster.
"Pro Bono Work Is Lawyers' Duty" (California Bar Journal, 10/01)
The Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court describes the importance of providing pro bono services, and the responsibility and obligation attached to the privilege of being an attorney.
"The Am Law 200" (Law.com, 8/01)
Link to the American Lawyer 200, which ranks firms included in the Am Law 200 on the amount of pro bono work performed.
" Stanford First Year's Summer Associates Experience is Best of Both Worlds" (Law.com 8/10/01)
This article profiles Khalid Jones, a summer associate in Crowell & Moring's Public Interest Fellowship Program. Under the program, Jones is spending half of summer working for the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia and half of the summer working at Crowell & Moring.
"The Do-Good Furlough" (Law.com 7/17/01)
Menlo Park California's Venture Law Group announces plans to pay up to five of its full time associates to leave the firm for one year to do public service work.
"The Am Law 100" ( Law.com, 7/01)
Link to the American Lawyer 100, which ranks firms included in the Am Law 100 on the amount of pro bono work performed.
"The D.C. 20" (Legal Times, 6/27/01)
This series of articles highlights the revenue and profits of Washington D.C.'s top 20 firms. Click on the article titled "A Lawyer's Call to Arms" to learn about the D.C. Bar's Pro Bono Initiative Working Group, a program devised to increase the pro bono work by D.C. firms. Click here to view a chart of the pro bono hours of the D.C. 20 firms.
"The Pros of Pro Bono" (New York Law Journal, 6/22/01)
Two attorneys with Kaye Scholer, LLP in New York discuss reasons why every lawyer should do pro bono work.
"Over There" (Corporate Counsel, 5/23/01)
The Solicitors Pro Bono Group launches a project titled "Law Works for Community Groups," designed to coordinate in-house pro bono work in the U.K.
"Tobacco Fees to Go into Charity" (Boston Herald, 5/02/01)
Boston law firm Brown, Rudnick, Freed and Gesmer announce the creation of the firm's Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest, which will coordinate the firm's pro bono legal work, charitable contributions and community service work. One component of the Center is a charitable foundation that will direct $10 million of the firm's tobacco litigation fees to charity.
"The Pro Bono Benefit" (New York Law Journal, 4/12/01)
The President-Elect of the New York State Bar Association concludes that lawyers, by virtue of their membership in the profession, have an obligation to serve those who cannot pay for service. He suggests ways to ensure that all attorneys are fulfilling this obligation against the backdrop of spiraling salaries and decreasing "free" time.
"Access Denied" (The National Law Journal, 4/12/01)
Reporter Elizabeth Amon highlights the plight of children in INS custody and one firm's commitment to represent individual children in INS custody.
"POA Grants Awarded to Five Organizations" (4/12/01)
Power of Attorney, a national organization dedicated to expanding the availability of pro bono legal services to the nonprofit sector, awards multi-year grants totaling $1.1 million to law groups in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
"Passionate about Pro Bono" (MacDonald Butterworths UK, 3/23/01)
Robin Allen, chair of the Bar Pro Unit, calls for all barristers to give up at least three days a year to unpaid legal work for the needy
The Pro Bono Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Business Law presents its National Service Awards.
"Stepping Up, Serving a Need" (The National Law Journal, 3/7/01)
A series of articles about pro bono, including:
- "Desert Dream"
- "Reaching Out to Rural Communities"
- "Pro Bono Work is Good for Business"
- "Despite Reports, Pro Bono Thrives at Some Big Firms"
- "Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Make Pro Bono Palatable in Essex County" and
- "Innocence Found: Firm Helps Exonerate Wrongfully Convicted."
"Pro Bono: The Cases of 2000" (The National Law Journal, 12/27/00)
A series of articles about pro bono including:
- "Pro Bono in 2000"
- "Newbies Told: You Will Do Pro Bono"
- "Prayer Cases Plus a Day Job"
- "A Battle Against Secret Evidence"
- "Protecting the Civil Union Law"
- "Many Injustices Call for Many Lawyers" and
- "To His Clients He Was El Viejito."
"Not Much to Brag About" (Law.com, 7/00)
Link to the American Lawyer 100, which ranks firms included in the Am Law 100 on the amount of pro bono work performed.
"The Am Law 200" (Law.com, 7/00)
Link to the American Lawyer 200, which includes the pro bono rankings for firms ranked 101-200 by 1999 gross revenue.
