Guest Blog: ExxonMobil’s Conference Experience

I really enjoyed this year’s PBI Annual Conference. It is such a great opportunity to connect with other professionals who care deeply about pro bono. I think it is very helpful to discuss areas of concern and challenges with others in the field that who can provide the benefit of their experiences. Our program at ExxonMobil in Northern Virginia is still fairly new and I appreciate the assistance that I always receive from the other participants at the Conference.

At this year’s meeting I was asked to participate in a panel on the topic of “Time-Limited Pro Bono.”. The idea for the session is that some attorneys would likely be more willing to participate in pro bono if they had shorter, finite opportunities that weren’t open-ended time commitments like some pro bono work can be. For example, attorneys that who have not previously done pro bono or younger attorneys could especially benefit from these types of opportunities. Also on the panel with me were Karen Grisez of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP* in Washington, D.C., and James Bishop with Catholic Charities, also in D.C.

At ExxonMobil’s Northern Virginia office, we participate in two projects that are fairly limited in their time commitment so I shared with the group attending our session a brief overview of our Wills Clinics and our Domestic Violence Attorney-of-the-Day programs. We participate in both programs in partnership with Hunton & Williams LLP* and Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV), and both programs have afforded our Northern Virginia ExxonMobil lawyers, paralegals, and support staff the opportunity to provide meaningful community service by way of short, time-limited projects.

Our Wills Clinics last only one day, with the ExxonMobil and Hunton & Williams attorneys and paralegals meeting initially with the LSNV clients to assess needs and gather information. While the clients have lunch, the legal professionals draft the legal documents that were requested. When the clients return from lunch they review the documents and any needed final revisions made. We execute, notarize, and make copies of the documents for the clients and send them on their way.

Each month a volunteer lawyer from ExxonMobil is paired with a volunteer lawyer from Hunton & Williams, and supported by a paralegal from one of the offices to participate in LSNV’s Domestic Violence Attorney-of-the-Day program. About two weeks in advance of the hearing date, our professionals receive the in-take files for each of the LSNV domestic violence clients (usually from one to five). The attorneys and paralegals meet with the clients to gather evidence and prepare arguments for a protective order and other, specified ancillary remedies, as appropriate.

Our attorneys and paralegals have responded very favorably to our programs and I was pleased to be able to share the ideas with others.

Karen and James also shared with the group a number of excellent ideas for time-limited pro bono, and then we had time for the entire group to share ideas and ask questions. All in all it was a very collaborative session and I was glad to have had the opportunity to participate.

Andrew Fisher is counsel, Fuels Marketing Law Section at Exxon Mobil Corporation.

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

Annual Conference: In-House Highlights

For many years in-house pro bono was a new concept at a handful of legal departments and an unknown concept to most.  Now the departments span the continuum from novice to experienced and mature.  On March 28, pro bono leaders from many of these legal departments gathered in Washington, D.C., for the in-house track at the PBI Annual Conference, the only global gathering designed specifically to address the interests and issues of in-house pro bono.  Hosted by CPBO, the in-house track provided dedicated programming for attendees, whether just starting a pro bono program in their legal department or growing and expanding their existing program.

Engaging everyone, the in-house track kicked off with an opening plenary focused on the question of mandatory pro bono (you can weigh in on the topic in a poll on CPBO’s new website, here) and integrating pro bono into the culture of a legal department.  Then, to address the specific interests and needs of departments in the different stages of development, attendees broke off into two sessions. 

The first session, “In-House Pro Bono: The Basics,” was designed for legal departments seeking to formalize or reinvigorate their pro bono efforts.  Panelists shared their experience with starting or re-structuring a pro bono program, including building infrastructure and launching their pro bono programs. 

The other session, “Corporate Pro Bono 2.0: Momentum and Growth in Mature Programs,” focused on issues facing robust existing programs, including:

• signature projects;
• global pro bono;
• partnerships and collaborations;
• coordination with the organization’s community service and corporate social responsibility efforts; and
• metrics.

The formal portion of the in-house track ended with a “Roundtable Discussion of Hot Topics in In-House Pro Bono,” during which attendees broke up into six groups of various experience levels to discuss topics of interest and to learn from one another.  Participants then joined their peers to continue their conversations and during a networking dinner.

While the in-house track wrapped up that night, attendees were just getting started.  As a part of the 2012 PBI Annual Conference, in-house attendees joined with participants from law firms and public interest organizations to attend a wide variety of sessions and events over the following two days. 

For those who missed the in-house track this year — not to worry, the 2013 PBI Annual Conference will be held March 14-16, at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C.  We invite you to join us and the expanding list of legal departments engaged in in-house pro bono. For more information about CPBO or the in-house track, please contact Eve Runyon, director of CPBO, or visit www.cpbo.org.

“IP”ro Bono

Attendees at the PBI Annual Conference last month had the opportunity to learn about an exciting new pilot initiative called the Minnesota LegalCorps Inventor Assistant Program.  John Calvert from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Candee Goodman from Lindquist & Vennum PLLP*† were on hand to speak about the program and educate attendees as to how this can be a resource for IP lawyers looking to do pro bono work, while helping jumpstart the U.S. economy.  Independent inventors fuel innovation that can inspire inventions and create new businesses and jobs.  However, they often need legal help they cannot afford.

Minnesota’s legal community has come together to provide pro bono legal services to eligible individuals with the patent application process.  In addition to providing legal assistance, the program strives to reduce the USPTO backlog created by pro se filers.  With support from the business community, law schools, the judiciary, the Federal Circuit Bar Association, and other organizations, the goal is to expand by five more similar programs across the country by the end of 2012 in Denver, the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, Northern and Southern California, and Texas.  Recently, Fenwick & West LLP*†, in conjunction with Intel**and California Lawyers for the Arts, agreed to be the founding members of the steering committee established to assist the USPTO in launching the Northern California Pro Bono Patent Program.

More than 180 patent attorneys have volunteered their time so far to support the Minnesota project.  Candee Goodman recently told Minnesota Lawyer:

A lot of patent lawyers are reluctant to handle a divorce [pro bono] because it is a foreign language to them.  The law is constantly changing, and it’s unrealistic for them to be up to date on everything.  One of the things this program will do is open up the opportunity to provide pro bono work to a whole new segment of the legal community.

Attendees described John and Candee’s presentation as being “especially interesting” and “inspiring”.  Stay tuned for more Conference highlights!

Do you know of other exciting programs that allow IP lawyers the chance to get involved in pro bono?  If so, drop us a comment below.

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project
** denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM

Guest Blog: “Insurmountable Opportunities”

One of the speakers at the PBI Annual Conference this year offered a quote from the classic comic strip philosopher Pogo as an apt description of the current state of pro bono, “We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.”  One of the greatest benefits of attending the Conference for me (for the first time), was the sense of instant community I had with the people I met — bright, energetic, dedicated professionals, all faced with the same set of insurmountable opportunities.

When I signed on to attend the Conference, I wasn’t sure what I really wanted to get out of it.  I am proud of our pro bono program – we have consistently met our goals for participation, we have a variety of opportunities with varying levels of time commitment, in an array of legal areas, and have strong relationships with legal services partners and private firms.

That said, we haven’t seen many new participants sign on, and while we are doing very well, I’d love to be able to say we are knocking people’s socks off.  So I signed up to attend to see what others are up to, maybe to get some ideas to help tweak our program around the edges. I got so much more than I expected.

There is a natural cycle of renewal that individuals and organizations go through – from an energetic “go for it” phase, through “the doldrums,” marked by dissatisfaction and stagnation, to “cocooning” when we tend to withdraw and become more internally focused, and finally to a stage of “getting ready” where we make plans and prepare to take on the world with renewed excitement and energy, reentering the “go for it” phase.

As I discussed the pro bono programs of others, and was in return was asked for details of our program, I realized that perhaps without noticing I had personally slipped into a bit of a cocooning phase with our program.  I’ll admit have been mostly content to let it run on auto-pilot for a while, and had kind of decided that “good enough” is good enough.

It is hard to maintain that outlook while being exposed to new ideas and creative people.  In our session on “Recognition” one of the speakers taught an excellent lesson – even though you will probably leave somebody out (and need to apologize) don’t let that stop you from making the effort to acknowledge those you can remember.  On that principle, I am going to list some of the most exciting ideas from my experience at the Conference.  This list is in no particular order, and I am sure I’ll miss lots of good things, and is entirely personal, so please don’t be offended if your idea isn’t on the list.  The point is, if you haven’t been to the PBI Annual Conference, you are missing out on a great opportunity to find what inspires you.

• Everybody loves to be recognized – but different people value different things.  One person’s frameable certificate is another person’s recycling.  Don’t let that stop you from trying.  Try a variety of strategies to increase your chances.
• Beware the “toxic if-then” motivation system.  Studies have shown that material rewards can actually kill enthusiasm to do good.  A “thanks for that – here’s a small gift” works better than “If you do 30 hours of pro bono, you will earn a bonus.”
• Don’t knock yourself out trying to get everybody on board.  Create a system that builds enthusiasm and enables maximum impact for those (nearly all of us) who are very inclined, or somewhat inclined, to do good.  Don’t worry about the small percentage of scrooges.  Absent ghostly intervention, there’s nothing you can do.
• Enthusiasm starts at the top and grows downward.  Over and over again, panelists stressed the importance of real dedication and involvement by the GC or managing partner.  If you don’t have that in your organization, commitment to pro bono will be hard to inspire at every level.
• Don’t despair, though – there are excellent ways to motivate your GC or managing partner.  Take a look at the research from Dr. Larry Richard on what motivates lawyers.  That should give you some ideas.  For example, lawyers are very influenced by “social proof”- we like to look to what others are doing as an indication of the standard for behavior.  I am sure the good folks at PBI or CPBO would love to provide a list of the other important and influential GC/MPs who are active in pro bono.
• Each pro bono program is different, and each firm or company culture is different.  One size fits all doesn’t fit anybody.  Use the resources at probonoinst.org and cpbo.org, or review the materials from the PBI sessions – they are packed with ideas, and some of them will resonate with you, I promise.

And finally, if you are like I was and had not yet attended PBI, you should really make plans.  You will get something out of it, even if you don’t know what that is in advance. The energy and hope that arises from a group of people this bright, this dedicated, this full of passion for the public good, is close to an irresistible force.  So — what happens when an insurmountable opportunity meets an irresistible force?  Some unbelievable achievements.

Christopher L. Wendt is Pro Bono Coordinator and Immigration Counsel for Mayo Clinic, a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM

Life After the Annual Conference

Do you want help taking the ideas you learned at the 2012 Annual Conference and putting them into practice?  If so, you are in luck!

The Law Firm Pro Bono Project provides a technical assistance program for Member Firms called House Calls.  Project staff members visit firms in a community, meet with pro bono committees, firm and office leaders, and pro bono partners, managers, and coordinators to discuss trends in pro bono and to learn about innovative pro bono projects under way at their firms and in their communities.

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.  Since 2007, the Law Firm Project has conducted successful house call trips all around world.

Keep in mind, PBI is still traveling around the country for the Regional Leadership Convocations.  If you would like to schedule a house call in conjunction with the Convocation when we’re in your area, or if you are otherwise interested in a visit or other expert consultation, please contact Law Firm Project Assistant Christine Sutherland.  Please note that it may not be possible to fill all requests this year.  If your travels bring you to Washington, D.C., we would be delighted to meet with you at your convenience.

So, what are you waiting for?  Take full advantage of this Member benefit today!

VIDEO: 2012 Annual Conference Starts Tomorrow

The 2012 PBI Annual Conference starts tomorrow. Can you believe it’s here already!?  The PBEye can’t, and we’ll be tossing and turning all night in anticipation of this year’s event.

If you’ve never been to the Conference or you’ve been so busy implementing everything you learned last year that you’ve forgotten what it’s like, here’s a video explaining what you’re in for.  We’ll also keep you updated on this year’s happenings right here at The PBEye and @ProBonoInst (and if you’re tweeting, be sure to use #PBI2012).

Got a “Tweet” Tooth?

You’ve probably already guessed that The PBEye is a big fan of social media (more here and here).   And we’re excited to report that, this year, the Pro Bono Institute Annual Conference is going to be Twitter-friendly!  You read that right, folks!  You can tweet till your heart’s content, live from the Conference. 

For the first time ever, all sessions are open to tweeting — and we want you to tweet your experiences at the Annual Conference.  Of course, in keeping with the uniqueness of our Conference, we adhere to the “What happens at the PBI Annual Conference stays at the PBI Annual Conference” rule, and ask that our tweeters not attribute remarks to participants.

So, if you’re coming to the Conference later this week, please use the hashtag #pbi2012.  And just for fun, look out for our friends, @lisawborden, @ProBonoDude, @sweetblogomine, and @nicholas_patrick, whom we hope to see tweeting from the Conference as well.  Will you be at the Conference?  Why not think about live tweeting — and definitely give us a shout at @probonoinst.  We’d love to hear from you!

Bite-Size Pro Bono Opportunities

Many law firm and in-house lawyers are interested in pro bono but hesitate to participate due to concerns about time constraints.  They may be apprehensive about making open-ended, unlimited time commitments, taking on projects that require an immediate response and conflict with other duties, or both.  Recognizing these concerns, firms and legal departments have begun exploring and offering time-limited pro bono opportunities to their lawyers and legal staff.

At our upcoming Annual Conference, PBI will present “Time-Limited Pro Bono,” a session led by Jim Bishop, program director at the Archdiocesan Legal Network; Andy Fisher, counsel at Exxon Mobil ; and Karen Grisez, public service counsel at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP*†.  The panelists will discuss the importance of finite pro bono opportunities at their respective organizations and provide examples of successful models that can be replicated at other firms and legal departments.   These tried-and-true approaches will help convince busy lawyers and pro bono novices alike to get involved with discrete yet meaningful projects.

Drop us a line to learn more about the Annual Conference.  We hope to see you later this month in Washington, D.C.!

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project

More Meet-n-Eat

The 2012 PBI Annual Conference is only two weeks away!  We have 25 organizations that are hosting tables at the lively and informative Pro Bono Expo Lunch held on March 29.  Their representatives are excited to share emerging issues, strategies, and developments in their topical areas, and provide information on the types of pro bono opportunities available to your firm or legal department.

Several organizations are hosting tables for the first time this year, including:

Advocates for International Development (A4ID)
Children’s Law Center
Human Rights First
Polaris Project
United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO)

For more background, check out interviews that The PBEye has conducted with two other public interest organizations that will be Expo table hosts, Appleseed and PILnet:

If you have questions or still need to register for the Conference, please send an email to PBIEvents@courtesyassoc.com or call 202.973.8720.  We hope to see you there!

Get Your Global On!

Calling all global pro bono enthusiasts!  Join our expert panelists at PBI’s Annual Conference to explore global pro bono best practices or bone up on the business case for global pro bono.

If you’re looking for a new global pro bono project, but uncertain as to how to move forward or what steps to take, join A4ID Chief Executive Yasmin Batliwala; PILnet Executive Director Edwin Rekosh; and Freehills Foundation Executive Director/Freehills† Pro Bono Counsel Annette Bain for “Global Pro Bono: Best Practices.”  This interactive session will explore the unique obstacles that global pro bono work can present and offer tips for turning an interest in a global pro bono effort into a reality.  Learn how to assess the viability of your concept, making sure it can generate meaningful work, structure the project, identify trusted intermediaries and partners, and ensure the careful vetting that must take place before embarking on a new global pro bono initiative.

And, if you just can’t get enough global, PBI is offering a second session, “Making the Business Case for Global Pro Bono.”  Microsoft Corporation** Associate General Counsel Anne Kelley; Baker & McKenzie*† Partner/Global Director of Corporate Social Responsibility Madeleine Schachter; and PBI President and CEO Esther F. Lardent will help you gain a nuanced understanding of the business benefits of incorporating a global pro bono element into your existing pro bono or CSR (corporate social responsibility) scheme.  Learn how law firms and legal departments use global pro bono to stimulate and engage legal staff, integrate remote offices and practice groups, build reputation, knowledge, and contacts abroad, attract clients and customers, and recruit and retain employees.

A staunch supporter of pro bono, Mother Nature has pledged that D.C.’s famed cherry blossoms will be in peak bloom during the Annual Conference.  Drop us a line to learn more. We hope to see you later this month in Washington, D.C.!

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project
**denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM