New Global Pro Bono Publication Available

Be sure to check out a newly posted publication on PBI’s website that highlights global pro bono opportunities: “A Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities in Selected Jurisdictions.”

This survey was newly updated in September 2010, but goes back to an initiative of PBI and Latham & Watkins LLP* from 2005 to make information about global pro bono more accessible.  You can learn more about what access to justice or publicly funded legal aid programs exist, remaining unmet needs for legal representation, perceptions and culture shaping the discussion of pro bono, and what professional-conduct laws and rules provide the framework for pro bono representation in 42 jurisdictions in Europe, Asia and the Pacific region, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.  The survey is part of an ongoing effort, shared by many law firms, organizations, and corporate legal departments, to promote and stimulate the growth of pro bono representation globally and in international settings.

For attorneys who are interested in discovering local pro bono opportunities in their firm’s specific international location(s), or for firms seeking to initiate international pro bono opportunities, this publication is an excellent resource.

*denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®

The Wire: News You Can Use

In case you missed it, this month’s Wire e-newsletter is out, and it’s chock-full of goodies!  There’s a Letter From Esther on the power of pro bono summits (something we’ve discussed here before), call for nominations for the CPBO Partner Award, a recap of our Seminar/Forum Reception (with pictures!)and a reminder about Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^® reporting.  But the pièce de résistance is the video from the Seminar/Forum of Esther Lardent’s State of Pro Bono address.  And you’re in luck, because we’ve got the video for you, below (in two parts). Check it out:

Thank Up

We received a suggestion from one of our 2011  Seminar/Forum attendees on how legal services providers can better publicize their appreciation for pro bono assistance within a law firm or corporation with which they partnered:

“Make sure that, in addition to thanking the individual attorneys, legal service providers also ‘thank up’ the chain to show value, then the thank yous will funnel down.”

Making leadership aware of the efforts of their pro bono lawyers can spread institution-wide awareness and may inspire more lawyers to participate in future projects and partnerships

And while we’re talking about thanks, we’d like to thank YOU – our 2011 Seminar/Forum attendees for filling out evaluations so that we can better plan for upcoming publications, webinars, and the 2012 Seminar/Forum.  We value your views and suggestions — keep ‘em coming!

Merck Lawyers Think Outside the Box

Searching for examples of time-limited pro bono engagements?  Look no further than Merck’s* Bankruptcy in a Box program, hosted in partnership with Lowenstein Sandler PC** and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ).

This project provides Merck lawyers and legal department staff the opportunity to help consumer debtors navigate the complexities of filing for bankruptcy.  Through this effort, volunteers from Merck and Lowenstein Sandler aid clients in preparing voluntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions and represent them at hearings and meetings with the Chapter 7 trustees appointed to the clients’ bankruptcy cases.  Working together, the project assists all of VLJ’s bankruptcy clients.

Merck’s pro bono committee has been successful in facilitating high participation among its attorneys by providing transportation to and from the clinic site, offering boxed lunches for volunteers, and coordinating training from Lowenstein Sandler.

John Todaro, the Merck lawyer credited with pioneering the legal department’s bankruptcy program, began counseling debtors through VLJ in 2005, but quickly realized the tremendous need for a larger, more coordinated effort.  Todaro organized the first bankruptcy clinic in July 2009 and it soon became a regular pro bono event for Merck’s legal department.

Since the program’s inception, Merck lawyers and staff have provided legal assistance to more than 42 VLJ clients.  VLJ is a longtime partner of Merck, and receives funding for the bankruptcy program from the Merck Foundation.

Want to learn more about other successful partnership projects and best practices for partnering? Contact PBI for more information.

*denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM
**denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®

Award-Worthy In-House Pro Bono, Anyone?

Do you know of an exceptional pro bono partnership project undertaken by an in-house legal department? Corporate Pro Bono is now accepting applications for the Corporate Pro Bono Partner Award, which recognizes innovative team approaches to pro bono work involving an in-house legal department.

Recipients of the award may comprise a two-way (i.e. one legal department with one law firm or a public interest group) or three-way (e.g. a legal department, a law firm, and a public interest group) partnership.  The criteria for selection will be:

1.) A legal pro bono project that has a demonstrated impact on its community/target group;
2.) Substantial involvement by in-house lawyers;
3.) Tangible steps toward making the partnership sustained; and
4.) Innovative substantive and/or structural (e.g., delivery model) approaches to the effort.

The award will be presented at the Pro Bono Institute Annual Dinner in New York on November 3, 2011. Winners will be receive mention in publications by Association of Corporate Counsel*, Pro Bono Institute, and CPBO.

Please submit four copies of your nomination by June 3, 2011 to Eve Runyon, project director, Corporate Pro Bono c/o Pro Bono Institute, 1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036.  For more information about the award or the nominations process, please contact Eve Runyon, CPBO director, at 202.729.6694.

*denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge ^SM

CPBO Spotlight On: AT&T Inc.

When the legal department at AT&T formed its pro bono program in 2009, it sought to provide opportunities for its attorneys throughout the United States.  In 2010, the department restructured its program and developed regional pro bono committees to better support its attorneys in different areas around the nation. To ensure a unified program, the department also formed an executive committee to oversee the regional programs efforts.  With support from Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel Wayne Watts, the program has undertaken many pro bono projects across the country.

In 2010, nearly 100 AT&T lawyers were involved in more than 20 “pre-approved” regional or national pro bono programs and logged participation in more than 200 unique pro bono activities.

AT&T Midwest Region Pro Bono Activities
Center for Disability & Elder Law
More than 20 AT&T attorneys participated in the Center for Disability & Elder Law’s (CDEL) Senior Center Initiative in Chicago, which sends volunteer attorneys into low-income senior communities to assist seniors with completing powers of attorney for property and health care and living wills.

The Midwest Legal Team has a longstanding relationship with CDEL.  AT&T legal staff has participated in CDEL’s Senior Tax Opportunity Program (STOP).  This unique program uses a phone bank approach to call seniors who are in danger of losing their homes because they have delinquent tax bills. Read more…

Interested in a House Call?

Do you need help taking the ideas you learned at the 2011 Seminar/Forum and putting them into practice?  Are you taking full advantage of your Law Firm Pro Bono Project Member Benefits?  Why not invite the Law Firm Project for a visit!

The Law Firm Project provides a technical assistance program for Member law firms called House Calls, where Project Director Tammy Taylor and Assistant Director Reena Glazer visit law firms in a community, meet with pro bono committees, firm and office leaders, partners, and pro bono coordinators to discuss national trends in pro bono and to learn about innovative pro bono projects under way at their firms and in their communities.  Since 2007, we’ve had successful house call trips around the country, and as far as the U.K. and Australia.

If you are interested in a house call visit to your community, please contact Tammy Taylor.  The details and agenda of the meeting can be tailored to meet your needs, and focus on issues of concern and interest to you and your firm.  Please note that it may not be possible to fill all requests this year.  If your travels bring you to Washington, D.C., let us know – we’d be delighted to meet with you at your convenience.  This benefit is provided free of charge to Member law firms.

VIDEO: Judge Robert Katzmann- Pro Bono Visionary

In 1995, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Judge Robert A. Katzmann, then in his role at the Brookings Institution, published The Law Firm and the Public Good, a collection of essay compiled to examine pro bono in large law firms.  The book, a must read for the aspiring pro bono champion, looked to make both the moral and business cases for doing pro bono.  More than 15 years later, Judge Katzmann’s book is as relevant as ever as law firms think more strategically about their maturing pro bono programs.

Judge Katzmann’s work and commitment to pro bono have been exceptional, which is why this year the Pro Bono Institute selected him as the recipient of our Chesterfield Smith Award.  To further recognize his achievement, The PBEye spoke with him about The Law Firm and the Public good, his personal interest in improving legal representation for immigrants, and got some insight into the future of pro bono work as seen from the courts system.

Dell Values Law Firm Pro Bono

Do legal departments value the pro bono commitment of their outside law firms? If recent news out of Texas is any indication, they do.

At a ceremony on January 25, Larry Tu, senior vice president and general counsel of Dell, Inc.* presented the first annual Pro Bono Law Firm Award to Vinson & Elkins LLP ** and Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody, P.C.** The award recognizes law firm pro bono achievement and came from the Dell Legal Department’s Community Involvement/Pro Bono Committee, which recognizes the valuable assistance law firms prvide the Dell legal department on pro bono activities.

The award not only expresses the legal department’s appreciation for the pro bono support it receives from outside counsel, but also points to a recent trend of law firms and legal departments working side by side to address critical legal needs.

For some time, Dell and Vinson & Elkins have partnered to staff a monthly clinic hosted by Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas (VLS) and Rio Grande Legal Aid that services low-income people in central Texas. Afterward, Dell and Vinson & Elkins lawyers work together to address the issues identified during the clinic. Cases involve a wide range of issues including landlord tenant disputes, immigration issues, mechanic’s liens, and land sale disputes.

Graves Dougherty has also been an important partner of Dell legal with respect to its pro bono activities, having worked alongside a number of attorneys for local organizations including Texas C-BAR, the Austin Yellow Bike Project, and the Austin Zoo.

Accepting the award on behalf of Vinson & Elkins was the Managing Partner of the firm’s Austin Office, William Volk, while Vinson & Elkins attorney Acelyn Ross was given special recognition for her role as coordinator of the evening clinic. Accepting the award on behalf of Graves Dougherty was firm President Michael Whellan.

*denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM

**denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®

Don’t Forget the Deadline For Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® Reporting

The Law Firm Pro Bono Project has emailed Challenge Signatory Firms the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® Reporting Form for calendar year 2010. To request an electronic copy of the Challenge Reporting Form, please email Mary Baroch. This report must be submitted to the Project no later than March 31, 2011.

We are happy to answer questions about completing the reporting form. Please contact Tammy Taylor, the director of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project, for assistance, or if your firm would like to become a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge. New firms are welcome to join any time of the year. Click the following links to read the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge and Commentary, or to view a list of current Challenge Signatory firms.

We are deeply gratified by the wonderful progress, innovation, and expansion which have come to characterize law firm pro bono programs. We urge you to assist us in communicating the good news about the work of law firms to our colleagues in the legal profession and to the public by your prompt return of the reporting form, and by sharing your accomplishments and news with us. Thank you to those firms which have already returned their completed forms.