The U.S. Supreme Court today heard oral arguments in the case of Maples v. Thomas, which concerns the appeals process for death row inmate Cory Maples (more on the case and oral arguments here). At issue in the case is whether a mailroom mix-up at the firm that was representing Maples at the time should cost him his critical appeal.
The PBEye has been watching the case closely and has some insights on risk management and best practices that pro bono lawyers should consider implementing with regards to supervision of pro bono work and the treatment of pro bono matters when the attorney primarily responsible for the matter leaves the firm/department. Our own Reena Glazer, assistant director of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project, sat down to give us the scoop and provide some strategies to help law firms and legal departments effectively integrate risk management into their pro bono practices.