Elysse DeRita, Author at Pro Bono Institute

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

May 15, 2017

Don’t miss the latest episode of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour, “You’ve Got Mail”. In part one, we answer questions from listeners about pro bono in pop culture, reading recommendations, and our “favorite” and most-requested publications. Tune in on Thursday to catch part two. Subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour in iTunes. Have you rated us on iTunes yet? Would you consider doing it now? We’d appreciate feedback and it would help make it easier for others to find the show and expand the conversation about access to justice. The podcast is

“The Time to Lead is Now”

May 11, 2017

“The future will belong to those who can embrace change.” – Hilarie Bass, President-Elect, American Bar Association; Greenberg Traurig*†, Co-President We have previously reported that a video can be an innovative and engaging way to promote law firms pro bono program and demonstrate the firm’s dedication to pro bono. Similarly, a video is an eye-catching and informative way to promote legal services organizations and create awareness about needs and opportunities. This year, our friends at The Florida Bar Foundation released an inspiring video, “The Time to Lead Is Now.” The fast-paced and catchy video is a call to action and

Welcome, Greenberg Traurig, to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge®

May 4, 2017

The Law Firm Pro Bono Project is pleased to announce a new signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® initiative. We are excited to welcome Greenberg Traurig*† whose attorneys and staff have shown a strong dedication to pro bono work by providing a range of meaningful legal services to those in need. Since 1993, the Challenge, an initiative of PBI’s Law Firm Project, has served as a guidepost to assist major law firms in increasing their commitment to pro bono legal services. The Challenge principles are designed to offer institutional support and maximize the efficacy of law firm pro bono programs. The

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

May 1, 2017

Don’t miss our latest episode of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour, featuring Norah Rogers of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough*†. Norah talks to us about the firm’s pro bono program, impact litigation, efforts to help the homeless and veterans, assisting unique clients such as the Burrito Riders, and more. Subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour in iTunes. Have you rated us on iTunes yet? Would you consider doing it now? We’d appreciate feedback and it would help make it easier for others to find the show and expand the conversation about access

Pro Bono Spring Break

April 27, 2017

Law schools, law firms, and public interest organizations have made tremendous progress in their efforts to inculcate the value of service and involve law students in providing meaningful pro bono. During the spring break season, a wide array of schools offered their versions of “alternative spring breaks,” during which students spent their vacation time offering pro bono work. Earlier this year on the Law Firm Project’s Podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour, we the discussed Columbia Law School’s alternative spring break with Laren Spirer. Their Spring Break Pro Bono Caravans, with support from Dentons*† and others, enables law students to

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

April 24, 2017

Need something to hold you over between Stanley Cup playoff games? Tune in to the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour, and learn about exciting and meaningful developments in the world of law firm pro bono and access to justice. Don’t miss our latest episode featuring Hilarie Atkisson of Fenwick & West*†. Hilarie talks to us about her career, the intersection of pro bono and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Justice Bus, the access to justice culture in the San Francisco Bay Area, and more Subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour in iTunes. Have

Pro Bono and Pop Culture

April 20, 2017

What are you doing on Saturday night? Check out the premiere of HBO’s adaption of the best-selling novel, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. The film, starring Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne, tells the story of an impoverished black woman whose cancer cells were used to aid in lucrative medical discoveries after she died in 1950. Meanwhile Lacks’ surviving relatives were left poor and unable to afford health insurance. Lowenstein Sandler*† provided pro bono legal assistance both to set up the Henrietta Lacks Foundation and secure it tax-exempt status. The Foundation aims to provide financial assistance to eligible individuals who

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

April 17, 2017

Need listening material for the NBA playoffs? Tune in to the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour, and learn about exciting and meaningful developments in the world of law firm pro bono and access to justice. Don’t miss our latest episode featuring Hayes Hunt of Cozen O’Connor*†. Hayes talks to us about his career, the firm’s pro bono program, meaningful pro bono matters, the pro bono culture in Philadelphia, and more. Subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour in iTunes. Have you rated us on iTunes yet? Would you consider doing it now? We’d appreciate

Heating Up with Pro Bono

April 13, 2017

The National Law Journal recently released its annual Pro Bono Hot List, which showcases significant and noteworthy pro bono efforts at major law firms. This year’s issue recognized 11 Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® signatories and/or Law Firm Pro Bono project member firms for their inspiring pro bono initiatives: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld*† (settling a claim on behalf of a hearing disabled inmate); Jenner & Block*† (successfully arguing six cases before the U.S. Supreme Court); Latham & Watkins*† ( procuring citizenship for immigrant veterans); Mayer Brown* (supporting a task force that is working to restore relationships between Chicago

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

April 10, 2017

Staying indoors to avoid the April showers? Tune in to the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour, and learn about exciting and meaningful developments in the world of law firm pro bono and access to justice. Can’t wait until next week for a new episode? Check out our guest appearance on The Librarian Is In, The New York Public Library’s podcast about books, culture, and what to read next. Intrigued, but not yet ready to commit? Our podcast teaser is available on iTunes and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour

Author: Elysse DeRita