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
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 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
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
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
PBI’s Law Firm Pro Bono Project recently released its annual Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® Report. One hundred thirty-three Challenge Signatories reported performing more than 4.2 million hours of pro bono service in 2014. A few additional highlights include: Participation The percentage of partners participating in pro bono increased to 65 percent from 63 percent in 2013, while the percentage of associates participating in pro bono essentially held steady at 81 percent. The cumulative participation rate increased slightly, with 73 percent of attorneys participating in pro bono in 2014. Pro Bono for Those of Limited Means After making a concerted effort over the past year
Michael Howson, assistant general counsel, AOL Inc.**, explains how pro bono work creates a sense of balance between his day-to-day corporate responsibilities and his desire to make an immediate impact in his community. YouTube Link ** denotes a Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® signatory
What are some of the ways that your legal department can obtain professional liability insurance for pro bono engagement? Which sources of coverage are most popular? The most recent CPBO Benchmarking Report answers these questions and more! There is a variety of malpractice insurance coverage options available for in-house counsel and legal departments engaging in pro bono, including adding an endorsement to an existing policy or purchasing a standalone policy, and many departments access a combination of options to ensure coverage. According to the 2014 Benchmarking Report, the majority of responding legal departments elect to partner with a legal services
On June 15, thousands of people from around the world descended on a field in Runnymede in the United Kingdom to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta. Although the Magna Carta was not the first time a monarch agreed to respect the rights and liberties of others, it went on to become an icon for the revolutionary concepts of due process and the rule of law. As British Prime Minister David Cameron noted at the commemoration, “Think of South Africa – of that courtroom in Rivonia. As Nelson Mandela stood in the dock, looking at
We can’t believe it’s already been three months since pro bono leaders from law firms, legal departments, and public interest organizations from around the world gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 2015 PBI Annual Conference to share ideas on how to enhance the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of their pro bono efforts. Each year, law firm and in-house attendees make new connections and forge fruitful relationships with public interest organizations during the Pro Bono Expo Lunch and other networking opportunities throughout the Conference. For example, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has attended the Conference for the past
