PBEye Blog - Page 34 of 67 - Pro Bono Institute

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

Partnership Develops Tools to Aid Judges in South Asia

August 26, 2015

South Asia has suffered from a significant amount of terrorist violence over the years. For example, 38 percent of terrorist incidents in 2013 occurred in South Asia, according to the Global Center on Cooperative Security. In 2014, according to the U.S. State Department, more than 60 percent of terrorist attacks took place in just five countries (Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Nigeria), of which three are in South Asia; nearly 6,700 people died from terrorist attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India that year. In recognition of the need to build expertise in the adjudication of terrorism-related cases, the Global Center

What’s Your Pro Bono Leadership Style?

August 20, 2015

Looking to assess your strengths and weaknesses as a pro bono leader? Check out this Harvard Business Review tool that analyzes how leaders’ styles mesh with their teams and organizational cultures. Are you empathetic, with a knack for team-building and talent-spotting? Then perhaps you’re a collaborator. If you’re an independent and creative problem solver, you might be a composer. Choose from a list of eight leadership archetypes the ones that best describe your “go-to” and secondary pro bono leadership styles to get immediate feedback and a thorough analysis of your strengths, weaknesses, and potential blind spots. For additional resources to

Mobilizing Pro Bono

August 11, 2015

In the spring of 2013, two weeks after attending an immigration law training session hosted by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld*†, AT&T Inc.** volunteers put their skills to use by participating in a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival mega-clinic. At the clinic, set in a local Dallas high school that serves a large immigrant population, AT&T attorneys counseled more than 250 immigrants regarding eligibility and in filling out detailed applications. The clinic was designed as a one-day project; however, one client who needed more assistance stuck out to Belinda Marin Boling, a co-chair of AT&T’s southwest region’s pro bono

Paying it Forward: Why Investing in Legal Aid Makes Economic Sense

August 6, 2015

The pro bono community understands that providing assistance to those in need of civil legal aid is a profound public-private partnership. Access to justice is a core value, but is it fiscally prudent? In other words, what is the economic impact of funding legal services? Diverse jurisdictions (i.e., Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia) have commissioned studies to measure just this statistic, and they have yielded some remarkable results. According to a recent study entitled “Economic Impact of Civil Legal Aid Organizations in Tennessee,” a one-dollar investment in legal services

Video: Why Do Pro Bono? Michael Bergmann, Public Interest Law Initiative

August 4, 2015

Many lawyers agree that doing pro bono “feels good.” This week, we hear from Michael Bergmann, executive director, Public Interest Law Initiative, as he explains how doing pro bono can be a rewarding experience for lawyers. YouTube Link

Looking for Transactional Pro Bono Opportunities?

July 30, 2015

As part of the “Best of the 2015 PBI Annual Conference” webinar series, PBI recently hosted “Pro Bono for Entrepreneurial Clients: Small Businesses and Social Entrepreneurs.” The following panel of pro bono leaders explored best practices for providing pro bono representation to small businesses and social entrepreneurs: Judah Ariel, Sidley Austin*† Jennifer DaSilva, Start Small Think Big, Inc. Regina Hopkins, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Cynthia Weiss, Latham Watkins*† A growing number of transactional pro bono opportunities involve eligible small businesses and social entrepreneurs and much of this work requires the specialized skills of transactional attorneys. The panelists shared recent

Chief Legal Officers Speak Out on Pro Bono

July 17, 2015

Chief legal officers have been at the forefront of the incredible growth of in-house pro bono. Many have publicly emphasized the importance of engaging in pro bono not just for their own legal departments but for every lawyer. At the 2014 PBI Annual Dinner, Randy Milch, former general counsel and current executive vice president and strategic policy advisor, Verizon Communications Inc.**, shared why pro bono service is important and spoke about the tremendous need for attorneys to volunteer and become evangelists for pro legal services. In his remarks, Milch, acknowledging that more than 80 percent of the legal needs of

Pro Bono and Law Firm Mergers

July 16, 2015

Law firm mergers are booming, with new combinations being announced at a record pace. There have already been 48 law firm mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. this year, making 2015’s mid-year total the highest in the past nine years. Mergers involve many complicated and moving pieces (compensation policies; client conflicts issues; leadership and administrative reorganization and consolidation; etc.) and can create anxiety and tension. Pro bono, however, can be an effective piece of a larger and long-term integration process. It is important that pro bono does not get lost in the shuffle and that firms think carefully about how

Why Wait?

July 9, 2015

More than 40 firms have already become Law Firm Pro Bono Project Members for 2015-2016. These firms have publicly demonstrated their leadership and commitment to pro bono service, and we are grateful for their support. Submit your enrollment form before September 1 to receive a 10 percent discount. As a Member Firm, you have exclusive access to a variety of resources, such as expert consultative services, to help ensure the health and vitality of your pro bono program. In addition to receiving individualized (and confidential) assistance from Project staff, Member Firms also get priority scheduling for house call visits. During