The early March edition of the pro bono wire, the newsletter of the Pro Bono Institute, is now available.

Articles featured in this edition include:

• Last Call for PBI’s 2010 Annual Seminar/Forum on In-House Pro Bono
• New Corporate Challenge Signatories
• Reminder: Return Your Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® Reports By March 31
• Member Benefit: Updated Compilation of Potential Public Interest Host Organizations
• 2010 CPBO Pro Bono Partner Award Seeks Nominations

Early March Edition

As Spring nears, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania is looking for sponsors, volunteers and runners for the the 6th Annual Trial Run 5k Run/Walk, which will be held on June 26, 2010, to benefit Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania's Chester County Division.

The race will be held in West Chester, PA and over 150 runners are expected to participate.

There are six race sponsorship levels available, ranging from $100-$3,500, each with their own promotional and race entry benefits. Would you or your business consider being a local sponsor? Visit www.trialrun5k.com  for more information.

Also, consider running or walking for the cause. Proceeds from the event will support Legal Aid's free legal services for low-income and vulnerable families in Chester County.

List of Sponsorship Levels and Benefits:

Event Sponsor: $3,500.00

• Includes marquee recognition on all race materials
• Recognition and link to sponsors website at www.trialrun5k.com
• Place promotional information in race goody bags
• Have banner (provided by sponsor) on race day
• Name/logo on race t-shirt
• 5 race entries

Platinum Sponsor: $2,500.00

• Recognition and link to sponsors website at www.trialrun5k.com
• Name on all printed race promotional information
• Place promotional information in race goody bags
• Have banner (provided by sponsor) on race day
• Name/logo on race t-shirt
• 3 race entries

Gold Sponsor: $1,500.00

• Recognition and link to sponsors website at www.trialrun5k.com
• Name on all printed race promotional information
• Place promotional information in race goody bags
• Have banner (provided by sponsor) on race day
• Name/logo on race t-shirt
• 3 race entries

Silver Sponsor: $1,000.00

• Recognition and link to sponsors website at www.trialrun5k.com
• Name on all printed race promotional information
• Place promotional information in race goody bags
• Have banner (provided by sponsor) on race day
• Name/logo on race t-shirt
• 2 race entries

Bronze Sponsor: $500.00

• Recognition and link to sponsors website at www.trialrun5k.com
• Name on all printed race promotional information
• Place promotional information in race goody bags
• Have banner (provided by sponsor) on race day
• Name on race t-shirt

Friend of Legal Aid: $200.00
Patron of Legal Aid: $100.00

• Name on printed race promotional information
• Place promotional information in race goody bags

If you would like to become a race sponsor or volunteer, register to run, or are seeking more information, please visit the race website at www.trialrun5k.com, or email Christine Zaccarelli at czaccarelli@lasp.org.

The American Bar Association Section of Litigation will recognize Martha Bergmark of Jackson, Miss., the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP and the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership with the annual John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award for their contributions to public service. The awards will be presented at a special luncheon during the section’s annual conference on April 23 at 12:45 p.m. in the Mercury Ballroom at the Hilton New York Hotel.

“The Section of Litigation encourages our members and all lawyers to follow the examples set by these remarkable lawyers and organizations. The awards, and these outstanding recipients, are a fine tribute to the memory of Judge Wisdom who worked tirelessly to ensure access to justice for those most in need. It is our commitment to his principles, as individuals and as a section, that make the justice system work. We applaud Martha Bergmark, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr and the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership for their efforts to make ‘justice for all’ a reality," said Section Chair Lorna Schofield of New York.

Bergmark, president and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice, is being recognized for her advocacy, leadership and commitment to equal justice. She worked at the Legal Services Corporation in Washington, D.C. and later at the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

In 2002, she returned home to Mississippi and was a founder of the Mississippi Center for Justice, where she continues her advocacy to expand racial and economic justice. She was instrumental in mobilizing resources to help obtain legal services for victims of Hurricane Katrina and has demonstrated her commitment to helping those in need.

In the last year, more than 330 lawyers from WilmerHale’s U.S. offices dedicated more than 84,000 hours to pro bono work. The firm’s commitment to access to justice has been demonstrated in its strong support of the Innocence Project and its work to provide death penalty representation and legal services on behalf of the homeless.

The firm has also provided advocacy on civil rights and voting rights. WilmerHale has been instrumental in working to establish the constitutional right to habeas for prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and represents six of the detainees.

The Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership is a collaboration of 32 law firms, corporate and government legal departments and associations dedicated to providing and expanding legal services to low-income constituencies.

The partnership, founded in 2001, brings together lawyers and paralegals to increase pro bono services to the poor. Their efforts have focused on predatory lending, child custody, health care, and veterans’ concerns. In 2009, the participants contributed more than 25,000 hours of pro bono service.

Named for a renowned Fifth Circuit judge and civil rights pioneer, the John Minor Wisdom Award recognizes lawyers who have made a significant contribution to the quality of justice in the legal profession and in their communities by making legal assistance accessible to people with low incomes, the disenfranchised and other underrepresented groups. The award honors lawyers from all areas of practice, including career public interest lawyers, lawyers from private firms and corporate counsel.

For more information about Judge Wisdom, the award and the recipients visit www.abanet.org/litigation/committees/probono/jmwa.html.

For information about the conference, including a complete listing of all programs, visit the section’s Web site at www.abanet.org/litigation/sectionannual.

ABA Press Release

This month Philadelphia VIP recognizes S. Jerry Weissman, Esq. for his outstanding volunteer assistance to VIP clients.

Jerry Weissman has been volunteering with VIP since 1998. He consistently treats his family law clients with genuine kindness and tireless commitment. Jerry consistently goes beyond the scope of what is expected to ensure that all of his clients’ legal issues are addressed.

Recently, Jerry accepted a pro bono divorce case. He called VIP shortly thereafter to say that they needed to open a support and a custody matter as well, and that he would be happy to assist the client with all three.

Later, when an issue arose for the client that involved a criminal law matter, Jerry sought advice on the best course of action for her.

As a mentor, Jerry also goes above and beyond the call of duty. Recently he agreed to mentor a new attorney on a family law case. Jerry took her under his wing and has continued to work with her on a variety of VIP and fee-based cases.

Less than a year out of law school she now has three of her own VIP cases and is gaining experience, skills, and confidence in Family Court thanks to Jerry’s tutelage and support.

For his commitment and dedication to VIP's  clients and his fellow volunteers, Philadelphia VIP offers its heartfelt appreciation to Jerry Weissman.

Philadelphia VIP Profile

This article from Credit Union Times highlights the pro bono activities of in-house counsel for several credit unions.

Read the Story

The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) presented County Bar Recognition Awards during the 44th Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders, Feb. 25 - 27, in Lancaster.

Twenty-six local bar associations in Pennsylvania were honored for sponsoring projects and programs to improve the legal profession, justice system and community. The awards, which are non-competitive in nature, are sponsored annually by the PBA.

"Each year, thousands of Pennsylvania lawyers voluntarily invest their time and expertise in programs that improve our local communities and this ongoing commitment to service is to be commended," said PBA President Clifford E. Haines. "It is our hope that the County Bar Recognition Awards will encourage even more legal professionals to take part in activities that make positive impacts on the lives of their fellow citizens."

The following local bar associations received awards for notable projects and programs:

• Allegheny County Bar Association: Backpack Project
• Berks County Bar Association: Speed Networking Events and Diversity Pipeline
• Blair County Bar Association: Credit Card Court "Low Bono" Assistance Program
• Bucks County Bar Association: Diversity Symposium and Sexting Prevention Task Force
• Butler County Bar Association: "Get Help Now, Pennsylvania" Helpdesk, Red Mass and Hymn, and Charles E. Dillon Memorial Cup
• Centre County Bar Association: Eugene W. Lederer Bar Center Opening, "Get Help Now, Pennsylvania" Helpdesk and Naturalization Day Ceremony
• Chester County Bar Association: TRIAL RUN Event, Wings for Success Clothing Drive and Veterans Day Celebration
• Clearfield County Bar Association: Legal Eagles 9
• Cumberland County Bar Association: Law Day 2009
• Dauphin County Bar Association: New Membership Benefit
• Delaware County Bar Association: District Justice Committee - Free Seminars to the Community, Community Outreach Committee - Working Wardrobe Clothing Drive and Corporate Counsel Committee - Membership Drive
• Erie County Bar Association: "Get Help Now, Pennsylvania" Helpdesk
• Franklin County Bar Association: Breakfast with the Candidates, Project KidCare Event and Law Day
• Lackawanna Bar Association: Legal Legends Seminar
• Lancaster Bar Association: "Wills for Heroes" Event
• Lebanon County Bar Association: Outstanding Senior Award, Modest Means Program and Pro Bono Recognition Ceremony
• Lycoming Law Association: "Get Help Now, Pennsylvania" Initiative, Lawctoberfest and Law Day 2009
• Monroe County Bar Association: Bar Foundation Raffles, Young Lawyers Division's "Spirit of Giving" Events and Superior Court Welcome and Reception
• Montgomery Bar Association: MBA 125 - A Yearlong Celebration, Marking 125 Years of Service to the Profession and Community, Montgomery Bar Association 1980 - 2009: Meeting the Challenges of a Dynamic Era Book and the Judicial Candidate Media Project
• Northampton County Bar Association: Holiday Hope Chest Project, Project KidCare Event and Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program
• Pike County Bar Association: Publication of the Pike County Legal Journal, Formation of Charitable Committee and Continuing Legal Education Program
• Schuylkill County Bar Association: Courthouse Bicentennial Pins, Commonwealth Court Dinner, Breast Cancer Awareness Event
• Washington County Bar Association: "Get Help Now, Pennsylvania" Events and "Wills for Heroes: Program
• Westmoreland Bar Association: Innocence Project Art Show and Continuing Legal Education Program, Custody Conciliation Partnership with Family Law Committee and Defending the Judiciary
• Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association: Juvenile Defense Training and Continuing Legal Education Programs, Centennial Race Judicata and Summer Outing
• York County Bar Association: "Sidebar Monthly" Program and Supreme Court Admission Ceremony

This article from Law.com describes how the relief efforts of Philadelphia law firms toward Haiti continues through donations and pro bono efforts. 

Law firms in the Philadelphia area are contributing to the international relief effort, with donations from Cozen O'Connor, Duane Morris, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot and Ballard Spahr amounting to nearly $230,000.

Read the Story

Now is the time to nominate deserving champions of justice for the 23rd Annual Pro Bono Awards of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Legal Services to the Public Committee.

The committee also is accepting nominations for its 6th Annual Judges Award and the Civil Legal Aid Attorney of the Year Award. These awards are presented to a judge and a legal services lawyer in recognition of their exceptional contributions to improve civil legal aid in the commonwealth.

Nominees for the awards must meet the following criteria:

•  The lawyer or judge practices in Pennsylvania.
• The lawyer, other than a Civil Legal Aid Attorney of the Year nominee, is not employed by an organization that has the provision of free legal services to the poor as its primary purpose.
• The lawyer or judge has provided direct delivery of legal services in civil matters to a client or client group that does not have the resources to employ compensated counsel or who has worked to facilitate such efforts by other lawyers.
• The lawyer or judge has made an outstanding contribution to the provision of legal services to the indigent without charge.
• The lawyer or judge has made such contributions primarily through organized pro bono programs, lawyer referral service no-fee panels and legal services programs, or has worked with such organizations to improve the delivery of legal services to the poor.
• The lawyer’s or judge’s efforts have resulted in the increased access to legal services for low-income people.

The 2010 Pro Bono Awards will be announced on Law Day in May and the award winners will also be acknowledged at various pro bono events throughout the remainder of the year. 

PBA President-Elect Gretchen A. Mundorff plans to promote pro bono service and civil legal aid across the Commonwealth by honoring these champions of pro bono during her Bar travels.

Nomination deadline is April 15, 2010.

This year’s awards nomination form, which can be completed electronically, is at the link below and can also be found in the pro bono area of the PBA Web site at www.pabar.org/public/probono/awards.asp.

Questions about the awards should be directed to Pro Bono Coordinator David Keller Trevaskis by phone at 1-800-932-0311, Ext. 2236, or by e-mail to david.trevaskis@pabar.org.

Nomination Form

In this video from Neighborhood Legal Service Association, solo practitioner Marion Laffey-Ferry expresses her view that the rule of law exists only to the extent that members of the private bar ensure access to open courts as guaranteed by our Constitution.

Attorney  Laffey-Ferry works with NLSA to uphold that guarantee, one pro bono case at a time.

More Video from NLSA
 

A corporate citizenship success story. In this video, Corporate Attorney Bruce Lammel, as a pro bono partner for Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA), describes a public-private collaboration that is giving vulnerable clients a fighting chance against predatory lenders.

More Video from NLSA

Why wait to become a pro bono volunteer? A busy Associate in a large law firm, Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA) Board Member Jaime Tuite argues convincingly in this video for early involvement in ensuring equal justice.

More Video from NLSA

The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division is currently accepting nominations for its Child Advocacy Award to honor lawyers for distinguished service on behalf of children.

The Award, established in 1990 by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD), in conjunction with the Center on Children and the Law, recognizes the contributions to the legal profession by child advocates who have actively labored on behalf of children and celebrates the often unheralded service that child advocates bring to children and the legal profession.

Any lawyer or judge involved in child advocacy is eligible. The ABA Young Lawyers Division Child Advocacy Award is given to an individual, based on an individual's personal achievement and commitment.It is not given to groups of people, organizations, or posthumously. Those who were nominated for this award in the past and were not selected may be nominated again.

The Division will announce awards in each of the follwoing categories:

• Young Lawyer (on September 1, 2010 the individual must be less than 36 years of age or admitted to practice in his/her first bar within the past five years)
• Non-Young Lawyer (on September 1, 2010 the individual must be 36 or more years of age or admitted to practice in his/her first bar more than five years ago)

The winner in each category will be recognized at the Young Lawyers Division Assembly on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

The nomination form must be received no later than April 15, 2010.  Winners will be selected on May 21, 2010.

More Information and Nomination Materials

This story from The Shriver Brief  spotlights the needs of military families and highlights some steps that a private bar attorney can take to aid our current and former servicemembers.

Read the Story

Philadelphia VIP will sponsor its Spotlight on Pro Bono Training  Seminars on Wednesday, March 17, offering CLE trainings on Guardianship and Probate/Homeownership issues.

The event will be held at Blank Rome, One Logan Square, 130 North 18th Street, Philadelphia, from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm.

The Honorable Matthew Carrafiello will welcome attendees to the event.

All attorneys to are invited to learn how to use their legal experience to help those most in need in our community, including first year associates new to the practice of law as well as experienced practitioners new to pro bono.

Participants may choose one of two trainings:

• GUARDIANSHIP. This seminar will provide an overview of guardianship practices in Pennsylvania and will focus on how to handle a guardianship case. The seminar will define who may be appointed a guardian, how a guardianship proceeding is initiated, and what the Court considers when determining whether to appoint a guardian. 

• PROBATE/HOMEOWNERSHIP. This seminar will describe the probate process and an alternative to probate as avenues to transfer legal title of homes into VIP clients' names. Keeping low-income Philadelphians in their homes is critical to keeping families from becoming homeless and in helping people break the cycle of poverty.

This FREE training will include breakfast and training materials.

Each attorney who attends one of the CLE seminars and accepts a VIP pro bono case within 6 months of the training will earn two substantive CLE credits.

Register by email at phillyvip@phillyvip.org or by calling 215-523-9550.

For more information please contact Theresa Brabson at 215-523-9567.

The Spring 2010 issue of Dialogue Magazine, the newsletter of the American Bar Association Division for Legal Services, is now available from the ABA.

The feature article in this editions is CLE Credit for Pro Bono: An Innovative Pro Bono Strategy.

This issue also features:

• LAMP: Preventing Service-Member Suicides
• LRIS: ADA Requirements for LRIS Programs and From the Chair
• Delivery: From the Chair
• Pro Bono: CLE Credit for Pro Bono and From the Chair: 2009 National Celebration of Pro Bono a Major Success
• IOLTA: ATJ and IOLTA Partner to Increase Access to Civil Justice; From the Chair; Grantee Spotlight: Iowa Legal Aid’s Legal Hotline for Older Iowans; and News and Notes

View the Spring 2010 Issue
 

The LawWorks project of Philadelphia VIP is looking for volunteers for two upcoming events for microentrepreneurs:

Microenterprise Legal Clinic: March 24

Philadelphia VIP and the African-American Chamber of Commerce are cosponsoring a free 1-on-1 legal clinic for area microenterprises on March 24, 2010 from 10am to 12pm (morning session) and 1pm to 3pm (afternoon session).

This legal clinic provides microentrepreneurs the opportunity to discuss immediate and ongoing legal matters with a volunteer attorney.This event provides an invaluable resource for area businesses and gives attorneys the opportunity to directly impact the community.

Likely issues include choice of entity, employment, contracts, real estate, intellectual property and tax.

Volunteers should have a minimum of three years of experience. Volunteers will not have to have any continuing obligation to the client after the event.

The event will be held at the Community College of Philadelphia’s Center for Business & Industry, Rm. C2-5, 18th & Callowhill, in Center City

Philadelphia. VIP would like to coordinate registration for this event with the help of a firm contact person. Contact people should reach out to Theresa Brabson at jvolunteer@phillyvip.org or 215.523.9567 to register. Theresa is available to answer any questions you may have about the event.

It is expected that there will be a lot of interest in this event so please contact Philadelphia VIP soon; firms will be registered on a first come-first serve basis. 

Workshop for Microenterprises during Entrepreneurship Week: April 21

Philadelphia VIP will present a free legal workshop for area businesses as part of the Empowerment Group’s Entrepreneurship Week on April 21 from 8am to 10am.

The workshop will provide an overview of legal issues facing many small businesses:

• business/entity types and tax considerations (40 minutes),
• vendor and general contracts (20-30 minutes), and
• lease agreements (20-30 minutes).

VIP is looking for volunteer attorneys from a single firm to present at the workshop.

The event will be held upstairs at DiBruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut Street, Center City Philadelphia from 8am to 10am.

Firm contacts please contact Theresa Brabson at jvolunteer@phillyvip.org or 215.523.9567 to volunteer members of your firm to teach this training. Theresa is available to answer any questions you may have.

Entrepreneurship Week is a week-long, city-wide campaign designed to celebrate Philadelphia’s small businesses, connect existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, and provide access to key business resources.

Entrepreneurship Week is expected to draw over 1000 entrepreneurs and supporters and provides an excellent sponsorship opportunity for area firms. Sponsorship opportunities include:

1. The cost for one day of breakfast and coffee ($250-$300). The firm will be recognized and thanked at the event.
    
2. The cost for 3 days of breakfast and coffee ($900). For a donation of this size, the law firm would be recognized as an Entrepreneurship Week “Silver Sponsor”—the $1,000 level. Silver-level sponsors receive a rotating web banner on www.entrepreneurshipweek.com during the week and for one month prior, a table at the small business resource fair, their logo in all e-mail correspondence (about 1,000 readers), and their company name and link posted on both of the Empowerment Group’s websites sites for one full year.

Please contact Theresa at jvolunteer@phillyvip.org  for more information on sponsoring the event.

The National Association of Pro Bono Professionals (NAPBPro), Inc. is conducting the Pro Bono Best Practices Spotlight CONTEST to highlight examples of outstanding pro bono projects throughout the country.

This friendly competition will recognize and encourage the good work that is being done to promote pro bono service that increases access to justice.

NAPBPro Best Practices Spotlight is styled as a competition to encourage members to describe their very best practices and how their adoption by others could advance the goals of pro bono professionals throughout the nation.

Fro more information on how to submit an entry visit the 2010 Contest Submission Form on the NAPBPRO website.

You may mail, fax or email your entry. You will receive a confirmation that it has been received via email. Entries must be received by April 15, 2010.

The early February edition of the pro bono wire, the newsletter of the Pro Bono Institute, is now available. Articles featured in this edition include:

• Breaking 2010 Seminar/Forum News – Haiti/Hotel
• Viacom Legal Department Assists Nonprofits
• Controlling the “Costs” of Law Firm Pro Bono Work
• 2009 Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge Report is Due March 31
• Deferred Associates Survey to Close February 22
• Gap Legal Department Serves Foundation Grantees
• The President’s Call to National Service: Make Your Corporate Pro Bono Hours Count!
• O’Melveny & Myers Pro Bono Victory

Early February Edition

Below is the article from Business Insider - Law Review:
 

Harvard Law School has announced the creation of the Public Service Venture Fund, which will start by awarding $1 million in grants every year to help graduating students pursue careers in public service.

The first program of its kind at a law school, the fund will offer “seed money” for start-up non-profit ventures and salary support to graduating J.D. students who hope to pursue post-graduate work at nonprofits or government agencies in the United States and abroad.

The creation of the Public Service Venture Fund is the latest step taken by the Law School to offer new forms of assistance for students who are interested in public service careers. In November, Dean Minow announced an increase in the availability of financial aid overall and a broadening of eligibility for the school’s loan relief program. She also established 12 new Holmes Fellowships for students interested in post-graduate public service work. All told, financial support for students interested in public service has increased by $2.75M this year.

To obtain support from the new fund, applicants will submit proposals explaining how the post-graduate grants will help them get started in public service. Minow said the fund will bolster the creative thinking of publicly spirited law graduates at a time when the legal profession itself is becoming more entrepreneurial.

More Information on Public Service Venture Fund