PBEye Blog - Page 54 of 67 - Pro Bono Institute

VIDEO: Why Do Pro Bono? David Patterson, International Development Law Organization

June 19, 2012

Often pro bono work stands to impact other areas beyond just the law itself or a specific legal situation. Pro bono has the power to affect positive change in greater societal issues such as health care, immigration, or rule of law in developing countries. This week hear from David Patterson, manager of the Health Law Program at the International Development Law Organization, on the importance of doing pro bono. YouTube Link

VIDEO: Why Do Pro Bono? Bruce Kuhlik, Merck & Co., Inc.

June 12, 2012

We at The PBEye have been pleased to see corporate legal departments increasingly engage in pro bono as a means to do good work for people who need it and build better relationships with the communities they serve. We applaud the corporate community for helping pro bono culture evolve to better serve those in need. This week hear from Bruce Kuhlik, executive vice president and general counsel of Merck & Co., Inc*, about the benefits of doing pro bono. YouTube Link * denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono ChallengeSM

Congrats to Victorian In-House Attorneys

June 5, 2012

Times have changed! Until last month, “corporate practising certificates” applicable to in-house lawyers in Victoria, Australia, limited them to providing legal advice only to their employers. This restriction prevented these lawyers from volunteering their services for pro bono work in the same manner as their law firm counterparts and in-house lawyers in other Australian states. Thankfully, the Legal Profession and Public Notaries Amendment Bill 2012 was passed by the Victorian Parliament on March 27, given Royal Assent on April 3, and became effective on May 2. The bill amended the Legal Profession Act 2004 by lifting restrictions on in-house lawyers

VIDEO: Why Do Pro Bono? Fiona McLeay, Public Interest Law Clearing House

June 4, 2012

We at The PBEye believe that lawyers are indeed privileged to do the work that they do. And with that privilege comes the duty to use their skills to help those in need and contribute to a better society. One way to do that is to help organizations that advocate for the public interest. This week hear from Fiona McLeay, executive director of the Public Interest Law Clearing House about why doing pro bono is important. YouTube Link

UPDATE: It Gets Better

May 31, 2012

Lady Gaga (with the recent unveiling of her Born This Way Foundation) has joined The PBEye in shining light on the problems associated with bullying and the importance of creating congenial and accepting communities. We previously highlighted examples of law firms and legal departments collaborating with organizations to undertake pro bono work focused on promoting educational environments where every student can feel safe and thrive. We have an update on one of those projects, in case you missed it: In March, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP*† reached a landmark agreement on behalf of its clients, students who had filed a federal

VIDEO: Why Do Pro Bono? Edwin Rekosh, PILnet

May 30, 2012

One of the things we at The PBEye love most about pro bono is how the benefits don’t have to stop at the client. Lawyers have the opportunity to affect change at higher levels to improve society and the rule of law both in developed and developing countries. This week hear from Edwin Rekosh, executive director of PILnet, about the importance of doing pro bono. YouTube Link

Pro Bono Back on the Big Screen

May 22, 2012

Recently, the power of pro bono was featured in the documentary The List at the Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by Beth Murphy, The List tells the classic pro bono story of client, volunteer attorney, and the nonprofit organization that brings them together. However, beyond that, nothing about this story and the people in it is ordinary. The film follows three Iraqi nationals who have been endangered as a result of their work with and in support of the U.S. effort in Iraq and are trying to find safety. It introduces Kirk Johnson and The List Project, the nonprofit he founded

VIDEO: Why Do Pro Bono? Bruce Goldstein, Farmworker Justice

May 21, 2012

It can be easy to forget that doing pro bono can be a two-way street. Often, we at The PBEye think of doing pro bono to help people in need, and we hope that with our assistance their lives will be improved. Well, it doesn’t always stop there as we’re frequently reminded. Sometimes, pro bono helps those who already help us every day. Farmworkers are a great example of that, as they play an integral role in keeping the country going by providing it with fresh healthy food but often face legal issues that can be detrimental to their well-being.

Pro Bono to Promote Equal Rights

May 17, 2012

The PBEye imagines a world without discrimination and inequality, and are proud of the pro bono lawyers who work hard every day to achieve that vision. Transgender people suffer persistent intolerance and experience prejudice and violence throughout their everyday life. They experience workplace discrimination, are met with challenges to their parental relationships, lack sufficient access to quality healthcare free from discrimination, and face difficulties in obtaining appropriate name and gender designations on their identity documents. The PBEye is gratified that many law firms have expanded their pro bono programs to advocate for and defend protections of transgender people under federal, state, and

VIDEO: Why Do Pro Bono? Steve Schulman, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

May 14, 2012

Some of the reasons for doing pro bono are simpler than others. Pro bono can be used for professional development, developing relationships, expanding business, and more, but at the very end you can’t deny the good feeling. That is the good feeling you get from helping someone in need. This week hear from Steve Schulman, pro bono partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP*, about why it’s important to do pro bono. YouTube Link * denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge®