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Don’t Despair, A Climate Pro Bono Bootcamp Is Here

December 13, 2023

With 2023 “virtually certain” to be the warmest year on record, climate change is top of mind for many people around the globe. It is easy to despair when reading how record high temperatures are unleashing extreme weather across our planet, but it is preferable to take action. Experts recommend steps that we can all take to attempt to slow climate change. Additionally, attorneys and legal professionals can use their unique skills to benefit the planet through climate pro bono. The PBEye has explored the intersection of climate and pro bono in recent years, including the impact of race in

Goulston & Storrs PC Abortion Legal Hotline

December 12, 2023

Each year, the signatories to the PBI Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® and Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® initiatives provide important pro bono services to underserved, disadvantaged, and other individuals or groups unable to secure the legal assistance needed to address critical problems. This Showcase spotlights some of the amazing work signatories have done to serve those in need. We spoke with Karen O’Malley, Co-Chair of Goulston & Storrs’ Pro Bono Committee about the Abortion Legal Hotline. Can you tell us about this new project and why is so important? Shortly after Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, Reproductive Equity Now and the

Pro Bono and CLE Credit: An Underrated Avenue to Increased Access to Justice

November 17, 2023

By Hena Mehta, Sheehan Scholar Law Clerk Wouldn’t it be great to receive continuing legal education (CLE) credit for your public good contributions? In recent years, U.S. jurisdictions have adopted regulations that allow lawyers to receive CLE credit for their pro bono service because it incentivizes lawyers to engage in more pro bono and aids access to justice reforms by providing low-income communities with competent representation to address their legal needs. The birth of CLE credit for pro bono service dates back to the early 2000s. Since then, many states have gradually adopted their own version of pro bono service

Pro Bono Evolution: A New Maturity Model for In-House Pro Bono

October 30, 2023

The legal department at Microsoft and the Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO®) project of Pro Bono Institute are proud to announce the release of a Pro Bono Maturity Model for in-house pro bono programs. In-house pro bono has grown over the past three decades, with more corporate legal departments creating and implementing formal pro bono programs. The Pro Bono Maturity Model is designed to assist pro bono leaders at departments with robust or longstanding pro bono programs who may wonder how to take their program to the next level. The Maturity Model offers guidance to departments to assess the strengths and

Chief Legal Officer’s Point of View: Doing Well and Doing Good

October 25, 2023

Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO), a global project of Pro Bono Institute (PBI) committed to enhancing in-house pro bono, presented a session at the 2023 Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas this week: Chief Legal Officer’s Point of View: Doing Well and Doing Good. Eve Runyon, President and CEO of PBI, moderated an engaging discussion with Marcus Brown, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Entergy Corporation, and Hossein Nowbar, Chief Legal Officer of Microsoft Corporation. Entergy and Microsoft both have robust, longstanding pro bono programs. They are signatories to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® initiative,

Pfizer Refugee Leadership Initiative

October 25, 2023

The Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO) project is highlighting the legal department of Pfizer for this month’s Signatory Showcase. Pfizer’s Refugee Leadership Initiative has helped Afghan refugees rebuild their careers and homes in the U.S. since 2021. We spoke with Shehzad Siddiqui, a Senior Corporate Counsel in the Pfizer Legal Division’s Corporate Governance group, about this impactful project. Why has the refugee initiative been rewarding for both the partnered law firms and Afghan refugees? Shehzad Siddiqui: In late 2021 Pfizer launched the Pfizer Refugee Leadership Initiative, committing to hiring 100 refugees in 2022. In 2023, we expanded the goal to hiring

2023 Pro Bono Week Preview

October 18, 2023

It’s time to get ready for Pro Bono Week 2023! From October 22-28, attorneys and legal staff from across the nation will have numerous opportunities to participate in pro bono work. During the 2023 National Celebration of Pro Bono, spearheaded by the American Bar Association (ABA), the legal community will unite in a week of giving back, while also fostering connections and relationships among pro bono volunteers. Pro Bono Week presents the legal community with the chance to get involved in increasing access to justice, learn about new legal topics, and gain hands-on experience with pro bono work. This week

Impact of Race in Climate Change

October 12, 2023

For some, climate change is an issue to deal with later. For others, it is a catastrophe they are dealing with now. by Palak Srivastava, PBI Intern Systematic racism is an issue that protrudes into each and every crevice of society, and climate is no exception. Keeping that in mind, discourse about climate change is mostly about rising temperature or increasing carbon emissions. What is left out of many conversations is who exactly is being affected by such climate trends. Environmental injustice refers to the disproportionate impact of climate change that has befallen low income and minority communities. Though much

AI & Pro Bono

September 25, 2023

By PBI Intern Emily Cardona UPDATE: More resources and information about AI and pro bono… Artificial intelligence (AI) has been championed for its potential to enhance pro bono legal services and help close the large gap between available legal aid and the need for services in the community. To access programming on AI, pro bono, and access to justice, visit: Introduction to AI and Access to Justice Setting the Stage: Introduction to AI Implementation and Use of AI in Pro Bono Responsible Use of AI in Enhancing Pro Bono For more information about AI and pro bono, visit our Social

Michigan Supreme Court Cites Pro Bono Institute in Recent Decision Allowing Pro Bono Fee Award

September 12, 2023

By Hena Mehta, Sheehan Summer Law Clerk (2023) On July 26, 2023, The Supreme Court of Michigan issued a landmark decision in Woodman v. Department of Corrections regarding pro bono representation as it relates to an attorney fee award amount.[1] The question of whether a reasonable attorney fee award can be lessened based on representation being provided on a pro bono basis was a case of first impression in the state of Michigan.[2] Among other key points, the highest court made clear in their ruling that “pro bono representation is not an appropriate consideration in determining the reasonableness of attorney