Transcript PRO BONO
PRO BONO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE “It’s the right thing to do” Agenda Georgia Legal Services and the Unmet Need for Justice in Communities outside of Metropolitan Atlanta B Safi Toure Top 10 Reasons to Become a Pro Bono Lawyer What is Next B Safi Toure IN GEORGIA THERE IS ONE LAWYER FOR EVERY 250 PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD A LAWYER BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE LAWYER FOR EVERY 10,500 LOW INCOME GEORGIANS INCLUDING Pro Bono Cases Referred by GLSP 2000 Bar Association In partnership with Georgia Legal Services Program Bar Association GLSP Pro Bono Project Pro Bono Referrals Reduced Fee Referrals General Referrals Top 10 Reasons To Become a Pro Bono Lawyer Courtesy of our Columbus Office REASON TEN Large Unmet Need It is the right thing to do...Providing pro bono representation helps fill the gap of unmet legal needs for low-income clients that have no where else to turn. Filling unmet legal needs also reduces the market filled by persons engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. Reason Nine Benefits to Volunteers Volunteer Benefits P Choose how many cases you want to take and when you want to take them P Volunteers accepting 3 or more Pro Bono cases receive a $100 CLE voucher P Georgia Legal Services provides malpractice insurance protection for each pro bono case referred P Access to resource materials, specialist attorneys and back-up assistance from Georgia Legal Services attorneys P Free or discounted trainings and legal education seminars provided by Georgia Legal Services P Recognition in the State Bar Journal P Yearly Pro Bono awards are presented at the State Bar of Georgia annual meeting P Georgia Legal Services Program screens for case merit and financial eligibility Reason Eight It Is Your Professional Obligation Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct RULE 6.1 VOLUNTARY PRO BONO PUBLICO SERVICE A lawyer should aspire to render at least (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per year. In fulfilling this responsibility, the lawyer should: (a) provide a substantial portion of the (50) hours of legal services without fee or expectation of fee to: (1) persons of limited means; or (2) charitable, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters which are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; and (b) provide any additional services through: (1) delivery of legal services at no fee or substantially reduced fee to individuals, groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights, or charitable, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes, where the payment of standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization's economic resources or would be otherwise inappropriate; (2) delivery of legal services at a substantially reduced fee to persons of limited means; or (3) participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession. In addition, a lawyer should voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means. No reporting rules or requirements may be imposed without specific permission of the Supreme Court granted through amendments to these Rules. There is no disciplinary penalty for a violation of this Rule. Reason Seven You SHOULD consider it your moral obligation to help grant justice to the poor. Reason Six PPro Bono service helps improve the public image of attorneys...Service to the public is an effective way to improve our public image. Reason Five Because you can Do you have an overwhelmingly large caseload right now? If so, you will hardly notice adding one more case to the load. OR Is your caseload manageable right now? If so, you can manage to work in one more pro bono case. Reason Four Special Projects and Opportunities: something for everyone POpportunities to help the public: Conduct an informational clinic or community education session for low-income clients. Reason Three YOU CAN HELP MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN A LOW INCOME PERSON=S LIFE: You might even learn something from your client PHelp a family save their home PKeep a child in school PHelp low income families obtain legal custody, guardianship or adopt a family member PHelp low income families access quality affordable health care PProvide quality legal assistance to displaced and homeless clients PHelp individuals recover lost SS benefits Reason Two Pro Bono service helps protect the integrity of the legal system. Pro bono service gives low income people a voice in the judicial system and reinforces the principles of democracy that makes the United States of America a strong and great nation Reason One Pro bono lawyers do it for free and it feels good when you=re done. Pledge your services We need your help LOOK FOR THE PRO BONO PACKET FROM THE PIEDMONT REGIONAL OFFICE IN THE MAIL, OR PICK UP THE PACKET AT THE TABLE FILL OUT THE SIGN UP SHEET OR SIGN UP ONLINE THROUGH THE STATE BAR OF GEORGIA WEBSITE: www.gabar.org/pledge.htm Contact Lynnae Thandiwe, Managing Attorney Safi K. Toure, Pro Bono Coordinator Georgia Legal Services Program 104 Marietta Street, Suite 240 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 404-894-7707, 1-800-822-5391 www.glsp.org Be a Volunteer Pledge your services Represent a low-income client Pro Bono. By accepting one or more pro bono cases through the Private Bar Involvement Program, you can make a difference. COME ON LAWYERS !!!! DO YOUR PART PLET=S RIDE THAT PRO BONO TRAIN!!!