We Have a New Look and New Address!

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
– John F. Kennedy

This week we released our new brand identity including a new logo for Pro Bono Institute (PBI), Law Firm Pro Bono Project, and Corporate Pro Bono, a global partnership project of PBI and Association of Corporate Counsel. Our new look reflects our bold, innovative mission and the past 20 years of transforming the pro bono landscape with you.

You’ll see the new branding on our correspondence, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages. Curious about our logo’s history? Check out this video on the evolution of our logo.

We’ve also moved! Although we were sad to leave Farragut North, we are getting settled in a new space at Metro Center: 1001 G St., NW, Suite 305 West, Washington, DC 20001.  Next time you are in the area for a game or concert at the Capitol One Arena, grabbing a bite in Chinatown or strolling around the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, be sure to stop by and visit.

Our new look and space enhance our commitment to transform pro bono with you. Thank you for strengthening access to justice through pro bono!

You’re Invited: “Chief Legal Officers on the Intersection of Pro Bono and CSR” at the ACC Annual Meeting

The 2016 ACC Annual Meeting is only a month away! As The PBEye has reported previously, there will be a number of in-house pro bono-related events, including the session “Chief Legal Officers on the Intersection of Pro Bono and Corporate Social Responsibility” (Tuesday, October 18, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm). PBI President and CEO Eve Runyon will lead an interactive discussion with the following general counsel to explore the intersection of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and pro bono, with a particular focus on how legal department leaders can develop pro bono programs to complement their companies’ CSR efforts and increase impact:

• Susan Lees, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Allstate Insurance Company**
• Amy Weaver, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Salesforce.com, Inc.**

In addition, don’t forget to register for the Clinic in a Box® Program – Nonprofit Employment Policies (Monday, October 17, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm) and the pro bono breakfast (Tuesday, October 18, 7:45 am – 9:00 am) with CPBO Project Assistant Virginia Lyon.

To find out more about in-house pro bono, stop by CPBO’s Booth #618 in the Exhibit Hall, or contact CPBO at cpbo@probonoinst.org. We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

**denotes a Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^® signatory

It’s Pro Bono Podcast Monday: Now with Two Times the Pro Bono!

Interested in the world of in-house pro bono? Tune in to Pro Bono Institute’s newest podcast series, the CLO & Pro Bono Series, and listen to chief legal officers of CPBO Challenge^® signatories discuss the importance of pro bono and equal access to justice.

Our very first interview is with Craig Silliman, Executive Vice President of Public Policy and General Counsel of Verizon Communications**. Silliman shares highlights from his department’s pro bono efforts and why he is passionate about access to justice.

Like what you hear? Then subscribe to the CLO & Pro Bono Series Podcast in iTunes. Have you rated us on iTunes yet? Would you consider doing it now? The podcast is also available on YouTube. Links to this and all future episodes can be found here. Join the conversation today!

We’re brand new so listen along and let us know what you think. Send your comments, thoughts, feedback, questions, and suggestions to cpbo@probonoinst.org.

† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project
* denotes a Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® signatory
** denotes a Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® signatory

You’re Invited: CPBO’s Pro Bono Breakfast at the ACC Annual Meeting

2016 ACC Annual Meeting from October 16-19. On Tuesday, October 18, CPBO will host its annual Pro Bono Breakfast, at which attendees will meet with CPBO and other in-house counsel to share information about pro bono trends and best practices in in-house pro bono. The breakfast provides an informal opportunity for in-house counsel to network with their peers to discuss both the challenges and successes that they have encountered in their own pro bono programs.

New at the breakfast this year, CPBO will recognize the winner of the CPBO Chapter Challenge – the ACC chapter with the most new signatories to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^® initiative – along with new department signatories.  To learn more about the CPBO Chapter Challenge or become a signatory, please contact CPBO.

To find out more about CPBO’s presence at this year’s ACC Annual Meeting, including the session “Chief Legal Officers on the Intersection of Pro Bono and CSR,” and the Clinic in a Box^® program co-hosted by CPBO, the San Francisco Bay ACC Chapter, and DLA Piper*†, check out our earlier blog or contact us at cpbo@acc.com. Can’t wait to see you in San Francisco!

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

Upcoming Webinar: Pro Bono in Practice – Elections

What do John Legend, John Oliver, and The PBEye have in common? We are all interested in voting rights and the upcoming election. As the 2016 presidential election captures our attention and November 8 gets closer, one thing is certain: many eligible voters will have trouble casting ballots on Election Day. Voting is at the heart of our democracy; yet our voting system remains imperfect and deeply flawed. A number of prominent civil rights and public interest groups are leading non-partisan, critical efforts to ensure that every eligible voter can vote and that every proper vote is counted.

Join us on July 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET for “The Challenges of Citizenship: Election-Related Pro Bono Opportunities (Pro Bono in Practice).” This timely webinar, hosted in conjunction with West LegalEdcenter, is part of our “Best of the 2016 PBI Annual Conference” series of webinars, which reprise and supplement select sessions from the Conference.

Pro bono lawyers play an important role at all levels of the voting rights and reform processes on Election Day and all year round. The following panelists will discuss emerging issues, how to get started, opportunities for collaboration, and a range of pro bono delivery systems, from research projects to impact litigation to policy advocacy work to Election Protection activities.

• Jennifer Brown, Morrison & Foerster*†

• Ezra Rosenberg, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

• Chris Walters, Reed Smith*†

CLE credit is available in many states. Registration is free for anyone at a Law Firm Pro Bono Project Member Law Firm. Please contact Law Firm Pro Bono Project Assistant Elysse DeRita for the promotional code or for information on becoming a Member of the Law Firm Project. Interested in-house counsel should contact CPBO Project Assistant Virginia Lyon for registration information.

Schedule conflict? Don’t worry – the program will also be available on-demand shortly after the original broadcast date.

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

† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project

CPBO at the 2016 ACC Annual Meeting

The PBEye is happy to announce that the CPBO team will be traveling to San Francisco for the 2016 ACC Annual Meeting. At the meeting, held October 16 – 19, you can get your recommended dose of in-house pro bono at the following events:

Clinic in a Box^® Program Training ♦ Sunday, October 16, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Is your ACC chapter or legal department interested in co-hosting a Clinic in a Box^® program? Join CPBO and be trained to co-host a Clinic in a Box^® program, a half-day clinic that provides in-house counsel the opportunity to advise nonprofit organizations or small businesses while earning CLE credit. (Note that registration is required and there is a separate fee to participate in this program.)

Clinic in a Box^® Program ♦ Monday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Earn CLE credit while providing pro bono services to nonprofit organizations that are in great need of legal assistance. In the first half of the clinic, law firm experts train participants, who during the second half meet in teams with representatives of San Francisco area nonprofits to provide legal advice. Training materials and information about the nonprofit clients are provided to participants in advance. (Note that pre-registration is required to participate.)

Pro Bono Breakfast ♦ Tuesday, October 18, 7:45 – 9:00 a.m.
Meet and network with other in-house counsel interested in pro bono, and learn about pro bono trends and best practices. Please contact CPBO Project Assistant Virginia Lyon in advance if you plan to attend the breakfast.

Session: CLOs on the Intersection of Pro Bono and CSR ♦ Tuesday, October 18, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
A panel of CLOs will lead an interactive session exploring the intersection of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and pro bono, with a particular focus on how legal department leaders can develop pro bono programs to complement their companies’ CSR efforts and increase impact.

Meet with CPBO ♦ Sunday, October 16 – Wednesday, October 19 
CPBO looks forward to meeting with attendees when they have free time between programs. If you are interested in discussing with CPBO options and initiatives for yourself, your legal department, or your chapter, please contact CPBO to set up a time that is convenient for you. Or, stop by the CPBO booth in the exhibit hall to see new resources and chat with the CPBO team.

To find out more about the events listed above, please contact CPBO, and for the complete ACC Annual Meeting schedule, click here. We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

Upcoming Webinar: Global Due Diligence Manual

Join us Thursday, May 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET for “Global Due Diligence Manual” a one-hour program hosted in conjunction with West LegalEdCenter.

PBI’s new Global Due Diligence Manual, produced in partnership with several global law firms, is a hands-on guide intended to help you locate, vet, and take on global pro bono opportunities. Join us for a discussion of clearinghouses, major NGO clients, research projects, and more. Learn how the Manual can help you expand your global pro bono program.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Wendy Atrokhov, Latham & Watkins*†
• Lisa Dewey, DLA Piper *†
• Lou O’Neill, White & Case*†

Interested in-house counsel should contact CPBO Project Assistant Virginia Lyon for registration information or to submit questions in advance of the program. Registration is free for Law Firm Pro Bono Project Member Firms. Law firm participants should contact Law Firm Pro Bono Project Assistant Eva Richardson for registration information.

Schedule conflict? Don’t worry – the program will also be available on-demand shortly after the original broadcast date.

* 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^®

Upcoming Webinar: Education

Concerned about justice issues in education? Join us Tuesday, July 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET for the webinar “Pro Bono in Practice: Education.” This one-hour program, hosted in conjunction with West LegalEdCenter, is part of our “Best of the 2015 PBI Annual Conference” series of webinars, which reprise and supplement select sessions from the 2015 PBI Annual Conference.

Education is a fast-changing area and this program will explore the status of available pro bono opportunities, ranging from litigation to policy work; emerging legal issues; how to get started; and opportunities for collaboration. The following panelists will address pressing issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline, special education advocacy, homelessness, and charter schools:

• Kaitlin Banner, Advancement Project
• Nancy Drane, Children’s Law Center
• Steve Schulman, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld*†

CLE credit is available in many states. Interested in-house counsel should contact CPBO Project Assistant Josh Lefebvre for registration information or to submit questions in advance of the program. Registration is free for Law Firm Pro Bono Project Member Firms. Law firm participants should contact Law Firm Pro Bono Project Assistant Eva Richardson for registration information.

Schedule conflict? Don’t worry – the program will also be available on-demand shortly after the original broadcast date.

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

Upcoming Webinar: Criminal Justice

Have you been following the news and wondering how you could get involved and make a difference? Join us on June 25 for “Pro Bono in Practice: Criminal Justice.” This program, hosted in conjunction with West LegalEdcenter, is part of our “Best of the 2015 PBI Annual Conference” series of webinars, which reprise and supplement select sessions from the Conference.

The following expert panelists will address the status of available pro bono opportunities, ranging from litigation to policy work; emerging legal issues; how to get started; and opportunities for collaboration:

• Lisa Borden, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz*†
• Natalie Kraner, Lowenstein Sandler*†
• Sarah Nolan, Brooklyn Defender Services
• Hallie Ryan, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Catherine Weiss, Lowenstein Sandler*†

Learn about pressing criminal justice-related issues such as criminal justice debt, clemency, individual representation, and juvenile justice, and how pro bono volunteers can get involved and make a difference.

CLE credit is available in many states. Registration is free for Law Firm Pro Bono Project Member Firms. Law firm participants should contact Law Firm Pro Bono Project Assistant Eva Richardson for registration information or to submit questions in advance of the program and in-house participants should contact CPBO Project Assistant Josh Lefebvre.

Schedule conflict? Don’t worry – the program will also be available on-demand shortly after the original broadcast date.

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

Upcoming Webinar: Pro Bono for Entrepreneurial Clients: Small Businesses and Social Entrepreneurs

Join us Tuesday, June 9 at 1:00 p.m. ET for “Pro Bono for Entrepreneurial Clients: Small Businesses and Social Entrepreneurs,” a one-hour program hosted in conjunction with West LegalEdCenter. This program is part of our “Best of the 2015 PBI Annual Conference” series of webinars, which reprise and supplement select sessions from the 2015 PBI Annual Conference.

A growing number of transactional pro bono opportunities, including complex and sophisticated ones, involve social entrepreneurs and small businesses. The following panelists will address best practices for providing pro bono representation to these transformative “change agents,” including locating appropriate clients, assessing eligibility, dealing with potential conflicts, identifying the appropriate scope of pro bono legal work, and reassessing relationships when clients achieve financial success:

• Judah Ariel, Sidley Austin*†
• Jennifer DaSilva, Start Small Think Big, Inc.
• Regina Hopkins, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
• Cynthia Weiss, Latham & Watkins*†

Interested in-house counsel should contact CPBO Project Assistant Josh Lefebvre for registration information or to submit questions in advance of the program. Registration is free for Law Firm Pro Bono Project Member Firms. Law firm participants should contact Law Firm Pro Bono Project Assistant Eva Richardson for registration information.

Schedule conflict? Don’t worry – the program will also be available on-demand shortly after the original broadcast date.

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