PBEye Blog - Page 18 of 67 - Pro Bono Institute

Why Does Dewey Bozella “Stand Tall”?

August 24, 2017

Looking for a good read for the last long weekend of the summer? Check out Stand Tall: Fighting for My Life, Inside and Outside the Ring by Dewey Bozella, who was wrongfully imprisoned for 26 years until he was freed with the help of pro bono counsel from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr*† and the Innocence Project. From 1983 until 2009, Bozella was incarcerated in Sing Sing Correctional Facility for the murder of a 92 year-old woman in upstate New York. His memoir, Stand Tall, details his path to freedom through his perseverance, dedication, and resilience. Bozella’s story from

Spotlight: Arizona ACC Chapter Transforms State’s In-House Pro Bono Activities

August 23, 2017

In 2016, the Arizona ACC Chapter launched the In-House Counsel Pro Bono Commission (IHCPBC) with the vision of creating a statewide structure to facilitate pro bono activities for in-house counsel by addressing impediments and providing organized opportunities. While the commission has only existed for a short time, it has already begun to transform the way in-house counsel pro bono activities operate in Arizona and have a positive impact on communities across the state. Goals of the IHCPBC: “Specifically, tailor efforts to in-house counsel, enabling counsel to select the activity that will personally resonate and encourage engagement Improve efficiencies, enabling

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

August 21, 2017

An experienced immigration attorney in Philadelphia, Valentine Brown leads the pro bono program at Duane Morris*†. She recently spoke with us about the firm’s pro bono work, including efforts on behalf of immigrants, veterans, “juvenile lifers,” and more. Learn what motiviated a pro bono client to write: “My attorneys became and still are my best friends. They are compassionate human beings, who understand perfectly the intricacies of the law and are aware of the stress that legal proceedings can have on an individual.” Take 45 minutes to listen to PBI’s interview with Valentine on the latest episode of the Law

Why Pay More?

August 17, 2017

Dozens of law firms have become Law Firm Pro Bono Project members for 2017-2018. These firms have publically demonstrated their leadership and commitment to pro bono and access to justice. As a member firm, you will have exclusive access to resources to help ensure the health and vitality of your pro bono program, such as expert (confidential) consultative services; discounted registration for every individual from your firm attending the PBI Annual Conference; free webinars; and access to the Project’s members-only section of our Resource Clearinghouse. Our customized advice can help your firm develop or restructure its pro bono governance and

Is Bigger Better?

August 10, 2017

In June, PBI’s Law Firm Pro Bono Project released its 2016 Report on the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge®, which examines the pro bono activities of Challenge signatories. We’ve previously shared highlights about law firm charitable giving to legal services organizations, pro bono time devoted to those of limited means and attorney participation rates. 2016 marked the second year that we analyzed pro bono performance by firm size. Firms with headcounts of more than 1,000 attorneys had the highest average pro bono percentage in 2016 (4.06%). We also looked at average pro bono hours per attorney and attorney participation rates

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

August 7, 2017

Rebecca Naylor has always been a passionate advocate for human rights. Becca manages the firm’s pro bono efforts in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia together with 70 champions at all levels throughout the firm. She spent 10-12 hour days assisting refugees in Greece and Jordan with her Reed Smith*† colleagues. Take 40 minutes to listen to Becca talk about her experiences on the latest episode of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour. Subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour on Apple Podcasts and be sure to leave a review! We’d appreciate the feedback

Summer at PBI

August 3, 2017

Summer is flying by and The PBEye would like to thank our Sheehan Scholars and interns for their hard work over the past few months. This summer, we welcomed our eighth class of Sheehan Scholars: Madeline Jenks (Harvard Law School) and Erin Killeen (Georgetown University Law Center). Bob Sheehan, who oversees the pro bono program at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom*†, former Executive Partner (1994-2009) and Co-Chair of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project Advisory Committee (2001-2015), and his family provided the financial support to launch this program in 2010, which has been named in his honor in recognition of his extraordinary

On Wachtel’s Watch, 90% of Discover Financial’s Legal Team Provides Pro Bono

August 1, 2017

On July 17, The Chicago Bar Association and The Chicago Bar Foundation presented Gary Wachtel, Senior Director in the law department of Discover Financial Services** and chair of Discover’s Pro Bono Committee, with the Exelon Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award. Endowed by Exelon Corporation**, the award recognizes “the generally unsung pro bono contributions of outstanding attorneys in the corporate sector.” It is a well-deserved recognition. In addition to personally dedicating numerous hours to pro bono, in his role as committee chair, Wachtel has expanded Discover’s pro bono engagement and encouraged colleagues to participate. Under his leadership as committee chair, more than

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday

July 31, 2017

Don’t miss the latest episode of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s podcast, the Pro Bono Happy Hour, featuring Theodore Howard of Wiley Rein*†. Ted talks to us about serving as the firm’s first full-time Pro Bono Partner, his pro bono work on behalf of inmates and prison reform efforts, the firm’s pro bono program, and more. Subscribe to the Pro Bono Happy Hour on Apple Podcasts and be sure to leave a review! We’d appreciate the feedback and it would help us expand the conversation about access to justice. The podcast is also available on YouTube. Links to all

CPBO in the Windy City

July 28, 2017

On July 12, CPBO made its yearly trip _ to Chicago to meet with in-house pro bono leaders from the metro area as well as co-host the 7th annual ACC Chicago Clinic in a Box® program with the ACC Chicago Chapter, the Community Law Project, and DLA Piper*†. Upon arriving in Chicago, CPBO met with local in-house pro bono leaders to discuss ways to build and improve in-house pro bono programs and to share recent developments in in-house pro bono. Hosted by Discover Financial Services**, attendees discussed various pro bono initiatives, legal services organization partnerships, and ideas for deepening pro bono engagement in legal departments. The