Bar Foundation Staff

Other:

State Support Function

Access to Justice Program

Statewide Direct Delivery

Independent Program

None of the Above

The Department of Pro Bono Affairs (Department) implements the New York State Bar Association's (NYSBA) two-part plan to enhance access by the indigent to the civil legal system in New York state. Part one seeks to improve the quality and quantity of pro bono services performed by attorneys. The Department provides technical assistance and support to local pro bono programs operated independently or by bar associations, legal service providers, law schools or private law firms. The actual matching of clients to attorneys is done by local pro bono programs. Part two recognizes that direct staff representation through a legal services office is the most effective way to deliver civil legal services to the poor. The NYSBA, through the Department, the President's Committee on Access to Justice, the Committee on Legal Aid, and other committees, works to support staff-based legal services programs and to ensure that they receive adequate funding on the federal and state level. The Department also sponsors statewide training programs, and acts as a clearinghouse for pro bono information.

# of Active Lawyers 125,000

# of Lawyers Providing Pro Bono Service 58,750

*figure reflects 1992 data

% of Funding paid by the Bar 100%

% of Funding paid by the IOLTA n/a

Other (foundations, filing fees, legal services) n/a

state supreme court ethical rule

rule similar to Revised ABA MR 6.1 (includes hours and categories)

pre 1993 version of ABA MR 6.1

mandatory (___ under consideration)

voluntary (___ under consideration)

mass mailings to new admittees

targeted mailings

work with individual law firms

bar event presentations

personal contacts/phone calls

phonathons

bar section or committee presentations/projects

sponsor substantive legal training for volunteers

publish training materials

coordinate activities with providers (i.e. training, recruitment)

liaison with state bar foundation

provide technical assistance to:

law firms

corporate counsel

governmental attorney offices

state bar sponsored awards

state bar foundation sponsored awards

direct case referrals to volunteers

case referral to pro bono programs

statewide or regional:

centralized intake

hotline

clinics

participate in state planning for legal services and pro bono

pro bono ethics rules/resolutions/reporting

Other ____________

fax referrals

linkage between pro bono programs