Minnesota Celebrates National Pro Bono Week
October 22, 2018 Mary Rea
October 21 – 27, 2018, marks National Pro Bono Week —the American Bar Association's annual celebration in recognition of the efforts of current pro bono volunteers, and its hopes for increased support and collaboration. Pro bono plays a vital role in closing the justice gap by helping to increase the number of low-income individuals who can get legal advice at crucial moments.
Locally, pro bono "hubs" are being hosted by several corporate legal offices where volunteer attorneys will gather to answer questions on the Minnesota Legal Advice Online (MLAO) platform. MLAO's web-based format helps eliminate the geographic and time barriers often faced when seeking legal assistance. Clients who live in remote areas, lack reliable transportation, or work night shifts can access legal clinic-style services that would otherwise be unavailable. Lawyers can respond to questions from clients anywhere in Minnesota, from wherever the lawyer is located.
On October 24th, join the Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) for its Pro Bono Week Happy Hour at Lakes and Legends Brewing Co. in Minneapolis. The event will celebrate the volunteers, donors and staff that make pro bono happen in Minnesota. Visit the ProJusticeMN calendar for more information and other happenings during Pro Bono Week.
In Pro Bono, Volunteerism, Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice Tags Minnesota Legal Advice Online, Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN), American Bar Association
Celebrate National Pro Bono Week Minnesota Style
October 9, 2017 Mary Rea
The last week in October offers a special opportunity to celebrate the value of pro bono work by participating in Minnesota's activities as part of National Pro Bono Week. The ABA's country-wide effort, highlighting local action and celebration, promotes recruitment of volunteers, recognition of the efforts of current pro bono volunteers, and seeks to increase support and collaboration. Pro bono plays a vital role in closing the justice gap by helping to increase the number of low-income individuals who can get legal advice at crucial moments.
As part of the local celebration, the Minnesota State Bar Association is hosting "Beyond Status: Meeting the Legal Needs of Today's Immigrants." The CLE will take place on Tuesday, October 24th at midday, hosted at the offices of Stinson Leonard Street. Presenters include pro bono attorneys and legal aid staff who will discuss ways they serve immigrant clients in housing, employment, public benefits, DACA and preparedness matters. Immigration is continually in the news, but the legal needs of immigrants extend beyond status. Noting the need for this topic, moderator Emily Good of Legal Services State Support, said "because of their status, their language, their race, immigrants' legal problems can be amplified and complicated." Registration for this event, as well as a full schedule of events around Minnesota for the week, are available on ProJusticeMN.org.
In Pro Bono, ProJusticeMN, Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice Tags Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), Legal Services State Support, American Bar Association
Minnesota Joins National Celebrate Pro Bono Week
The American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service chose to launch Pro Bono Week because of the increasing need for pro bono services during these harsh economic times and the unprecedented response of attorneys to meet this demand. The National Pro Bono Celebration can be an effective strategic tool for enhancing and expanding local efforts to increase access to justice for all.
Here in Minnesota, Pro Bono Week provides an opportunity for the legal profession and the larger community to focus on the important service provided by pro bono lawyers. Throughout the week, legal aid providers schedule opportunities to serve clients, train attorneys, and recognize service. On Wednesday, October 26 (12 p.m.) at the Minnesota CLE Center in Minneapolis, the Minnesota State Bar Association will host its annual Pro Bono CLE, the signature statewide event for the week. This year's topic is "The Criminalization of Poverty," featuring a keynote by Nusrat Choudhury from the ACLU Racial Justice Project in New York, as well as a panel of local legal and community experts. Registration information for this event, as well as a full schedule of events around Minnesota for the week, are available at www.projusticemn.org/calendar.
"We are bound by a responsibility to use our unique skills and training - not just to advance cases, but to serve a cause; and to help our nation fulfill its founding promise of equal justice under law...The obligation of pro bono service must become a part of the DNA of both the legal profession and of every lawyer."
- Attorney General Eric Holder
Read Attorney General Eric Holder's address to participants at the National Pro Bono Summit on October 24, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
In #WeAreLegalAid, Access to Justice, Pro Bono Tags Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), American Bar Association, Minnesota Legal Services Coalition