Annual Conference Archives - Page 2 of 2

Don’t Be Intimidated: Selecting In-House Pro Bono Projects

November 19, 2013

At this year’s PBI Annual Conference, in-house counsel and other legal department pro bono leaders broke into groups to discuss a variety of topics relevant to the continued development of in-house pro bono. One group, led by Adam Brink of The Clorox Company**, focused its discussion on the selection of pro bono projects including how departments starting, expanding, or refocusing their pro bono efforts can select the right projects. Getting Started When creating an in-house pro bono program, there are a series of steps to take prior to selecting specific projects. Before any significant projects can be started, departments must

In-House Hot Topic: Technology

September 24, 2013

While some in-house attendees at this year’s PBI Annual Conference talked about recognition during the In-House Track Hot Topics Session, another group focused on technology’s existing and potential impact on pro bono. David March, senior counsel at Target Corporation**, led representatives from seven legal departments in a thoughtful discussion of the topic, which emphasized that technology, when applied properly, can assist remote clients and improve the effectiveness of pro bono efforts. Those points and the challenges associated with using technology for pro bono are summarized below. Delivery of Pro Bono Services One of the greatest challenges to improving access to

Pro Bono and the Courts

July 10, 2013

As The PBEye previously detailed, the judiciary is becoming an increasingly prominent player in the fight to advance access to justice. In order to learn more, PBI hosted a panel of distinguished judges at the closing plenary session of its 2013 Annual Conference. The panel, moderated by PBI President and CEO Esther F. Lardent, included: • Hon. William Bright—Judge, Connecticut Superior Court • Hon. Bernice B. Donald—Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit • Hon. Jonathan Lippman—Chief Judge, New York Court of Appeals • Hon. Eric Washington—Chief Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals The judges discussed the

“IP”ro Bono

April 13, 2012

Attendees at the PBI Annual Conference last month had the opportunity to learn about an exciting new pilot initiative called the Minnesota LegalCorps Inventor Assistant Program. John Calvert from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Candee Goodman from Lindquist & Vennum PLLP*† were on hand to speak about the program and educate attendees as to how this can be a resource for IP lawyers looking to do pro bono work, while helping jumpstart the U.S. economy. Independent inventors fuel innovation that can inspire inventions and create new businesses and jobs. However, they often need legal help they

Guest Blog: “Insurmountable Opportunities”

April 12, 2012

One of the speakers at the PBI Annual Conference this year offered a quote from the classic comic strip philosopher Pogo as an apt description of the current state of pro bono, “We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.” One of the greatest benefits of attending the Conference for me (for the first time), was the sense of instant community I had with the people I met — bright, energetic, dedicated professionals, all faced with the same set of insurmountable opportunities. When I signed on to attend the Conference, I wasn’t sure what I really wanted to get out of it.

Pro Bono Gives Second Chances

March 8, 2012

What is life like for ex-offenders when they are released back into society after serving their sentences? The PBEye recently saw a documentary which answers this question. Graduate film students at The George Washington University Documentary Center explored this issue in the film “Released to Life”, which was named “Washington’s Best Film” in D.C.’s inaugural documentary competition. The filmmakers shed some light on programs that are helping convicts rehabilitate and which services are sorely lacking for those leaving prison without a job, home, and everyday life skills to aid the transition. Ex-offenders face a myriad of obstacles including legal barriers, such

Thank Up

March 24, 2011

We received a suggestion from one of our 2011 Seminar/Forum attendees on how legal services providers can better publicize their appreciation for pro bono assistance within a law firm or corporation with which they partnered: “Make sure that, in addition to thanking the individual attorneys, legal service providers also ‘thank up’ the chain to show value, then the thank yous will funnel down.” Making leadership aware of the efforts of their pro bono lawyers can spread institution-wide awareness and may inspire more lawyers to participate in future projects and partnerships And while we’re talking about thanks, we’d like to thank

Category: Annual Conference