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Category: Public Interest

CLO Letter in Support of Funding LSC Reaches 195 Signatories

April 18, 2017

In response to The White House Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) recommendation to eliminate federal funding for the Legal Services Corp. (LSC) for FY18, 195 chief legal officers and general counsel from across the U.S. have signed their names to a letter in support of funding LSC at $450 million for the next fiscal year. The National Law Journal pointed out that the signatories represent numerous industries and some of the country’s biggest companies. Why are so many general counsel committed to supporting LSC? As the largest funder of civil legal services in the U.S., LSC funds the legal aid

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It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

March 20, 2017

Need motivation as you begin spring cleaning? 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 most recent interview with Elizabeta Markuci of Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS). Liz talks to us about pro bono initiatives to support immigrants in the context of her own family’s experience, the value of storytelling, the importance of self-care, her pro bono role models, and more. Subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour in iTunes. Have

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In Memoriam: Thomas S. Williamson Jr.

March 16, 2017

The PBEye was saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and pro bono champion, Tom Williamson, former President of the D.C. Bar. Throughout his 40-year career, Williamson was a staunch advocate for access to justice for all and civil rights. He eloquently reminded us that “[a]ccess to justice is my number one priority…I believe reverently that we have to continue to pay attention to meeting a higher standard of making access to justice a reality and not just an ideal for everyone in our community.”  His passion was exemplified in 2007, when he received the Wiley A. Branton

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Making Democracy Work

August 25, 2016

Voting is at the heart of our democracy, yet our voting system remains deeply flawed. A number of prominent civil rights and public interest groups are leading non-partisan efforts to ensure that every eligible voter can vote and that every proper vote is counted. Pro bono lawyers are often at the forefront of legal efforts to cure legal flaws in the system, which threaten the accuracy, legitimacy, and fairness of the voting process. Lawyers have important roles to play at all levels of the election protection and reform processes – crafting legislation, enforcing voting laws, researching legal developments, monitoring the

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Katrina and the Legacy of Pro Bono

August 27, 2015

This month marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the devastating toll it took on the Gulf Coast. The legal profession had a key role to play in helping those affected by the storm rebuild their lives and their communities in both the immediate aftermath and the long-term. Residents of New Orleans and the surrounding areas were confronted by a slew of critical legal needs in the wake of the hurricane, but the region lacked the capacity to adequately meet the demand. Pro bono lawyers and law students from around the country stepped in, both remotely and by travelling to

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Juvenile Justice Scorecard

December 11, 2014

Our friends at the Juvenile Law Center recently released a rigorous national scorecard that grades jurisdictions based on their policies for keeping juvenile records confidential and allowing for sealing or expungement. In sum, the vast majority of jurisdictions fail to protect sensitive information contained in juvenile records, with none earning the maximum five-star rating and the national average coming in at three stars. For the millions of youth arrested each year in America, 95 percent of whom are arrested for nonviolent offenses, juvenile records can follow them into adulthood and create barriers for success. In many jurisdictions, employers and other

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Video: Why Do Pro Bono? Bill Lienhard, Volunteers of Legal Service

August 4, 2014

Many attorneys remember their first time representing a client in court and how intimidating it was. Now imagine how intimidating it must be for clients who are forced to represent themselves without proper training and guidance. This week, we hear from Executive Director of Volunteers of Legal Service Bill Lienhard as he explains his personal experience as a new attorney and the importance of pro bono. YouTube Link

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