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^®

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

Guest Blog: BNY Mellon’s Pro Bono Program

The Bank of New York Mellon recently launched its pro bono program.  Learn more about it below.

Why Global Pro Bono at BNY Mellon?
When Jane Sherburne, BNY Mellon’s general counsel, asked me to chair a new Global Pro Bono Program 10 months ago, I didn’t hesitate.  Jane has been a significant supporter of pro bono service, noting that it reflects BNY Mellon’s commitment to making our communities better places to live and work, and is fundamental to our team-oriented business culture and core values: trust, teamwork, client focus and outperformance.

For perspective, in 2010, BNY Mellon and its employees around the globe donated nearly $35 million to causes they care about most, plus another 43,000 hours of volunteer service.  Adding professional legal services to the mix of our powerful and uplifting community commitment was simply irresistible.  The Global Pro Bono Program directly supports our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), philanthropy and employee engagement and volunteering initiatives.

Fostering Camaraderie
I asked Jane about her personal philosophy and while most pro bono players may start small, she felt that as a global organization, we couldn’t just target one place, country, or theme.  Jane also recognized the esprit de corps and camaraderie that would result from the opportunity to bring our legal teams together in this manner.

“Pro bono opens up a world of opportunity for our people to get involved in new challenges, helps our lawyers fulfill their professional obligations, and affects the lives of people in meaningful and lasting ways,” Jane said. 

With her full support, we launched BNY Mellon’s Global Pro Bono Program this month in six cities and three countries: New York, Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Boston, London, and Hong Kong.

The BNY Mellon Pro Bono Team

Careful Project Structuring, Online Resources Building Blocks for Team Success
Currently, we have 19 attorneys and non-attorneys on the pro bono team.  With sage counsel from Corporate Pro Bono and Eve Runyon,  we have plunged simultaneously into several tracks, establishing  subcommittees, themes and projects; interviewing and selecting legal service organizations and law firm partnerships; creating timelines, project notification processes and tracking mechanisms; and researching licensing and insurance.  Among the most important shared resources and tools for this dynamic team is a dedicated intranet microsite.  Our pro bono intranet site and Wiki pages contain policies, procedures, FAQs, matter opening and closing forms, instruction pages and chat pages.  Everything is online and in one easily accessible spot.  We’ve established regional coordinators and national theme coordinators who will also notify our attorneys and non attorneys of upcoming projects.   

Expanding BNY Mellon’s Volunteering Footprint, Earning a Charitable Gift Match
By adopting BNY Mellon’s CSR and philanthropy theme, “Community Partnership,” we’re expanding our company’s volunteering footprint, while also receiving “dollars for do-ers” or matching donations wherever possible.  Our efforts are focused on something we call “Powering Potential.”  These projects address urgent basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and disaster relief.  A second area of support within the Powering Potential framework addresses workforce development to help troubled youths, veterans, women, minorities and small businesses. 

Pro Bono Program Welcomes External Partners, Communities Benefit
We have gathered close to 12 different legal service organizations and law firm partners to join the initiative.  Together, we will work in clinics.  We’ll help disabled veterans and focus on financial literacy for low-income women and children.  We’re also looking at the pro bono support our volunteers can direct to microfinance, or to help low income families navigate through the school systems, and more.

Members of the community have already obtained free legal service following our first successful pilot clinic, held pre-launch.  And, we’re already approaching 30 pro bono volunteers!  This momentum proves that getting involved in Community Partnership is a great way of continuing to do what’s right.

Deborah H. Kaye is Managing Director and Senior Managing Counsel at The Bank of New York Mellon.  

Guest Blog: Deere Celebrates Giving Back to the Community

The Deere & Company** Global Law Services Group held its bi-annual Pro Bono and Community Service Celebration at Deere & Company’s Worldwide Headquarters in Moline, Ill., on Oct. 19.  Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride was the event’s keynote speaker.  The celebration’s theme, “Giving Back to the Community,” reflected the Global Law Services Group’s dedication to serving those in need of legal services and, more generally, Deere’s commitment to an environment in which employees are encouraged to engage in volunteerism for the betterment of their communities.

In his keynote address, Chief Justice Kilbride encouraged participation in pro bono services, quoting former Illinois Chief Justice Moses Harrison, who said:

“Our American society is premised on the promise that each of us is equal under the law. Equality is impossible if people do not have a voice to speak for them in the courts of law . . . Each of us in this room can bring that goal closer to reality.  It is our moral and professional duty. As lawyers, we have no higher calling.”

The Deere Pro Bono program officially began in 2002, and in 2007 Deere celebrated the program’s fifth anniversary with its first Pro Bono Celebration.  At that time, the Deere Pro Bono Committee, championed by Deere Senior Vice President & General Counsel Jim Jenkins, established two awards to recognize members of the Global Law Services Group who demonstrate excellence in pro bono services and dispute resolution.  The Deere Pro Bono Committee hosts the Celebration bi-annually, making this the third Pro Bono Celebration.

The Excellence in Pro Bono Services Award celebrates someone who has shown outstanding dedication and commitment in providing pro bono legal services and has inspired others to fully participate in the Pro Bono Program.  Jodi Fisk, Senior Counsel was selected as this year’s Excellence in Pro Bono Services Award recipient for her long term commitment and personal devotion to pro bono activities, and her leadership in facilitating pro bono opportunities for others.

The Steven R. Frankel Peacemaker Award for Excellence in Dispute Resolution honors the memory of Steve Frankel, a Deere attorney who passed away in 2006 after battling cancer.  Steve, an expert in the field of mediation and a steadfast pro bono advocate, established Deere’s Pro Bono Mediation partnerships with the City of Davenport Civil Rights Commission and City of Bettendorf Human Rights Commission whereby Deere attorneys and non-lawyer staff members receive mediation training and volunteer as mediators for these civil rights agencies.  This year’s award winner, Keith Steenlage, Assistant General Counsel, demonstrates excellence in dispute resolution through his mediation work, especially as a regular and valued mediator for civil rights cases.

In addition to recognizing these and other Deere Pro Bono Program participants, Deere recognized its pro bono partner organizations, including the Davenport Civil Rights Commission and Bettendorf Human Rights Commission (pro bono mediation services), The Iowa CASA Program, HELP Legal Assistance and Prairie State Legal Services (legal aid organizations), Youth Service Bureau of Rock Island County (youth peer justice program) and United Way. Deere also recognized its law firm partners at the celebration, including the Davenport, Iowa law firm Lane & Waterman LLP (Deere’s pro bono partner since 2008), and DLA Piper LLP* and Schiff Hardin LLP*, both of which recently became pro bono partners with Deere.

Many thanks to Jodi Fisk, Lisa McCraw, and Julie Olszewski at Deere & Company for their contribution to this blog.

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

Guest Blog: Social Media And Pro Bono

Pro Bono Shareholder Lisa W. Borden of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.

Considering my 20+ years of law practice, I might be an old fogey, but I’m also an “early adopter” – not a techie by any stretch, but I enjoy using new technologies. I’ve been on Facebook forever, and I’m closing in on 2000 Tweets.

I first used social media for personal fun – keeping up with old friends, fomenting minor revolutions with political rantings, but began to realize how social media could be a powerful tool. Everybody needs a website – people tend not to be interested in any organization without one. When my firm got involved with the fabulous Homeless Experience Legal Protection (HELP) program, which uses volunteers to staff homeless shelter legal clinics, lack of a website was one of the first things I noticed, and soon corrected. But websites are, in general, kinda dry and rather static. There’s important information, but not much excitement. Once you’ve visited a website for a law firm, business, or pro bono program, you’re not likely to return often. Shortly after getting HELP’s website up and running, I started its Facebook page, and soon had more than 200 fans. Hmmm . . .

Those of us who direct law firm pro bono programs know that we have many different interests to address. Among them are the firm’s interest in not having its good deeds go unnoticed, and our own interest in attracting more diverse and interesting pro bono projects for our attorneys. So how can social media help?

Unlike a website, social media is not a one-way street. It’s interactive and dynamic, and that helps bring attention to what you have to say. Sure, you can post pro bono news on the firm’s website and issue press releases, but neither of those is likely to be forwarded around the web like wildfire. When I want to let the world know about pro bono accomplishments by my attorneys, I often start with a post on our pro bono blog, One Good Turn. When I finish posting on the blog, I hit Twitter and tweet the link to my post. My tweet goes automatically to my Facebook page . . . and we’re off! The firm retweets, our followers retweet (weird having “followers,” isn’t it?), my Facebook friends comment and share with their friends. Each medium builds upon the next, and your post is read and discussed by people you never dreamed of.

A few tips:

1. A blog is flexible. Twitter is limited to 140 characters, and Facebook to 420 (who really reads those notes?). Your blog is your own, allowing you to develop a story. That said, be mindful of your readers’ time and attention span. Link your blog post to bios of attorneys involved, websites of pro bono organizations with whom you partnered, related news stories, and more. Once your blog is launched, keeping it fresh is vital! Post often, lest new readers wander away.

2. Twitter whizzes around the internet quickly through retweets, and lets you fire off quick news updates on the go – “Congrats to Lawyer John Doe of our Center City office on victory in asylum case! #probono” The hashtag (#probono) means your update will be read by people searching for pro bono news whether they follow you or not. Be sure to mention other “Tweeps” who are involved. Include a link to your blog or your firm’s press release about that great victory to get it read more widely. There are an awful lot of blogs out there, and chances are people won’t just stumble across yours.

3. Facebook is great for its higher level of interaction. You probably know more of your Facebook friends personally (or at least feel like you do), so they have a more personal interest in what you have to say. They’re more likely to comment on your post, and share their thoughts about it with their friends. Make it easy by setting your Twitter updates to post automatically to Facebook.

Lisa W. Borden is pro bono shareholder at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.*  She also blogs for the firm’s pro bono blog at One Good Turn.

Are you blogging or using social media to strengthen your pro bono program?  Do you have additional tips to add to Lisa’s?  We’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment below.   And be sure to follow the Pro Bono Institute on Twitter and Facebook – and tell your friends!

*denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project

Guest Blog: DLA Piper Associates Work in Guyana

The PBEye recently heard from a team of junior associates at DLA Piper* about their experiences doing pro bono in Guyana.  Pro bono is a terrific way for associates and seasoned attorneys alike to gain skills and develop professionally.  Here’s what our friends at DLA Piper, J. Hess, Nicole C. King, and Terry Smith, had to say:

Attorneys involved with pro bono often share two common perspectives: a belief that we have an ethical obligation to provide pro bono services, and an understanding that pro bono offers unique opportunities to build valuable skills and broaden overall legal acumen.  Junior associates, particularly those working in larger law firms, might find that pro bono work can bring more responsibility and greater exposure than their regular billable work.

In our case, such an opportunity came through an international pro bono project in Guyana, South America. Over the last few years, Guyana has made a strong commitment to strengthening its justice sector under a program called Modernization of the Justice Administration System (MJAS).  Both the Judiciary and the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) have spent considerable time and resources upgrading facilities and personnel.  DLA Piper’s nonprofit affiliate, New Perimeter, recognized Guyana’s strong commitment to fortifying its legal sector and offered the pro bono services of DLA Piper attorneys with expertise directly related to MJAS goals.

To prepare for the project, DLA Piper attorneys made two due diligence trips to Guyana.  During these trips, these attorneys observed court proceedings and interviewed judges, magistrate judges, prosecutors, police prosecutors, and senior investigators.  It became clear that magistrate courts were strapped for resources and severely backlogged.  An attorney or judge from the United States or the U.K. cannot help but immediately fixate on seemingly basic, but temporarily insurmountable obstacles.  Hearings move excruciatingly slowly, because there are no court stenographers and magistrate judges must hand-write testimony.  It is nearly impossible to hear testimony from meek witnesses or arguments from soft-spoken attorneys, because sounds from the street blare through courtroom windows which are necessarily open to provide some relief to the tropical heat.  Witnesses fail to show for hearings, because they live hours away by boat and either did not receive notice or have no means to travel to court.

Despite these obstacles, it was an important moment in the development of this project when we realized that technology—stenographers, air conditioned court rooms, and faster boats—was not a realistic goal.  Once we recognized that the Guyanese Judicial System was not going to become resource-rich over night, we instead sought practical solutions that would organically increase efficiency and capacity.  While momentarily counterintuitive, we realized that the most effective way to support Guyana’s modernization efforts was not to address its weakest aspects, but rather to support its greatest resource, the people already working hard every day to support the rule of law.

The prosecutor's training team (from left to right): DLA Piper lawyers Mark Nadeau (Phoenix), Nicole King (Los Angeles), Mitka Baker (Washington, DC), Rob Sherman (Boston), Carolyn McNiven (San Francisco), Terry Smith (Philadelphia), Peter Zeidenberg (Washington, DC).

It was in this spirit that we developed a two-part project that included drafting “best practices” manuals and implementing simulation-based training workshops for Guyanese magistrate judges and prosecutors.  To implement the project, we spent five days in Guyana with 10 other DLA Piper attorneys from offices across the United States and Europe.  For magistrates, the workshops focused on advanced trial-management skills, new anti-money laundering and asset forfeiture laws, and international best practices in bail setting.  In a separate workshop for more than 40 prosecutors, police prosecutors, and senior investigators, we focused on improving trial advocacy skills like cross-examining witnesses, introducing documents and physical evidence, and establishing chain of custody.

Guyana’s commitment to the program was reaffirmed when courts were closed for Friday’s workshops and magistrates and prosecutors gave up their Saturday to attend training sessions. Highly interactive, energetic, and collegial, the workshops allowed legal professionals working in a heavily burdened system time to step back and reflect on their craft.  Discussions carried over through lunch breaks and into the evenings, and it became clear that curiosity and a love for debate are universal traits for legal professionals.

As junior associates, this project offered a number of unique opportunities.  Foremost, we had an opportunity to play an active role in the project’s design and development. We were actively involved in meetings with the Chancellor of the Judiciary, High Court Judges, the Director and Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, as well as other judicial officials.  While normally junior associates spend time sifting through discovery or performing due diligence from their desks, we were in Guyana driving the scope and direction of an international project that would ultimately involve eight partners, seven associates and well over 2,000 hours of donated time. 

From left to right: Guyana's Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh, Justice Roy, Terry Smith (DLA Piper Associate) and Sheldon Krantz (Director of New Perimeter and a DLA Piper partner)

The project also pushed us as legal professionals.  Developing and facilitating workshops that were engaging and well received has increased our confidence and deepened our understanding of what it means to be credible legal professionals.  Additionally, we worked directly with senior partners, which gave us the opportunity to build valuable relationships within our Firm. 

The old adage “no pain, no gain,” need not apply to pro bono projects.  Junior associates should recognize them as win-win vehicles to do something good for a client as well as for their careers.  For us, collaboration with colleagues during the Guyana project both enhanced our legal skills and advanced the rule of law abroad.

J. Hess, Nicole C. King, and Terry Smith are associates at DLA Piper. Further detail on the Guyana project is available here.

If you would like to contribute a guest blog to The PBEye, please contact Christina Gordon, director of strategic communications and stewardship, with your proposed topic.  We would love to hear from you! 

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

Guest Blog: Pro Bono and Your Partner Retreat

McCarter & English Pro Bono Director Emily Goldberg

For a relatively new Pro Bono Director like me, the opportunity to present at the annual McCarter & English* partner retreat would ordinarily be an invaluable time to educate partners about our growing pro bono program. The only wrinkle: our 2011 retreat’s theme of “business development.” After a moment of panic (“I am a public interest lawyer, what in the heck do I know about business development?”), I realized that this theme would push me to educate the partnership about how a meaningful pro bono program can contribute to the bottom line — an important topic in these challenging economic times. We invited PBI’s Esther Lardent to speak about the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM and to provide “inside scoop” about the pro bono commitments of several large clients. For my part, I created a Power Point presentation entitled, “Top 10 Reasons Why Pro Bono Contributes to the Bottom Line.” The content went like this:

1. Our Clients Say Pro Bono is Important: Corporations are creating pro bono programs, and asking to do pro bono with us. Only firms with meaningful pro bono programs have partnerships with their corporate clients. I talked about McCarter’s partnership with Prudential Financial, and the fact that we took a death penalty case when asked to do so by the CEO of General Electric**.

2. Prospective Clients Say Pro Bono is Important: RFPs commonly ask about our pro bono work and want to see meaningful engagement. I provided examples of companies that asked us about pro bono in RFPs during the past 18 months.

3. Pro Bono is Great Press: I showed images of some of the media we have gotten in the past year, as well as of our most exciting pro bono awards. I also educated the partnership about pro bono “rankings” in the American Lawyer and the New Jersey Law Journal.

4. Pro Bono Provides Unmatched Training Opportunities: Our clients do not pay for inexperience; pro bono is the best place for associates to “practice” lawyering. I provided results of a survey identifying the number of associates who did pro bono trials, hearings, depositions, settlements, appellate briefs and oral arguments in 2010.

5. Judges Ask Us to Do Pro Bono/Appoint Us; Doing Pro Bono Solidifies and Builds Our Relationship with the Bench.

6. Pro Bono Facilitates Recruitment and Retention: Law grads care about pro bono opportunities when selecting firms. Crediting and compensating pro bono positively affects retention of top talent.

7. Pro Bono Work on Behalf of Minority Groups Shows Our Commitment to Diversity…Which Has its Own Connection to the Bottom Line.

8. Idle Hands… Meaningful pro bono opportunities must be available to attorneys during the “ebbs” in their practice. Idle hands do not further the bottom line.

9. Our Competition Is Doing Serious Pro Bono. Using charts that depicted pro bono hours per attorney in 2009, I demonstrated that we are “running with the pack” on pro bono: not yet doing as much as some competitor firms, but more than others. This quelled fears about our doing “too much” pro bono.

* * *

Okay, so I lied…it was a Top 9 List of Reasons Why Pro Bono Contributes to the Bottom Line. Item Number 10 was the following slide: “Doing Good” is McCarter Tradition, and Our Professional Responsibility. It would have felt wrong to spend an hour talking about pro bono without discussing the great work we are doing and the people we are helping. So, I used the last 10 minutes of the program to discuss our exciting new projects in the area of Human Rights (including our cutting-edge microfinance project in Haiti), and showed a video about a compelling political asylum client.

People were clearly move by the presentation. And, more importantly, I received more than 30 emails and phone calls from partners saying how much they enjoyed learning about the value that our pro bono program brings to the firm.

A good retreat was had by all.

Emily Goldberg is pro bono director at McCarter & English, LLP. 

If you would like to contribute a guest blog to The PBEye, please contact Christina Gordon, director of strategic communications and stewardship with your proposed topic.  We would love to hear from you!  For more information about ways you can get on your partner retreat agenda or to get PBI staff at your retreat, please contact Law Firm Project Assistant Mary Baroch.

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