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  • September 01, 2008

    Inside the Bar September 2008: Pro bono programs receive grants

    In fiscal year 2007 - 08, the State Bar Legal Assistance Committee granted $14,850 to support three pro bono programs and now is soliciting proposals for the next round of grants. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for individuals or organizations to develop or expand pro bono legal assistance projects in their communities. Applications are due Nov. 14.

    Inside the   BarInside the Bar
    September 2008

    Apply for grants by Nov. 14

    Pro bono programs receive grants

    The following individuals spearheaded programs that received Pro Bono Initiative grants:

    • Hannah Dugan helped expand Catholic Charities' legal assistance program to immigrant victims of domestic abuse in Waukesha, Sheboygan, and Racine counties.
    • Dan Idzikowski and Marquette Law School helped develop the M-LINC project to assist Milwaukee area nonprofits.
    • Bobby Peterson and ABC for Health helped to expand a project to assist people with financial difficulties resulting from medical debt and health care coverage denials.

    In fiscal year 2007 - 08, the State Bar Legal Assistance Committee granted $14,850 to support three pro bono programs and now is soliciting proposals for the next round of grants. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for individuals or organizations to develop or expand pro bono legal assistance projects in their communities. Applications are due Nov. 14.

    According to State Bar Pro Bono Coordinator Jeff Brown, "Volunteer lawyers are a vital part of the delivery system for legal services to low-income and disadvantaged people in Wisconsin. We are constantly looking for ways to support volunteers when they make the commitment to provide pro bono legal services."

    Grants for fiscal year 2008 were awarded to the following organization and projects:

    • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: Legal Services, $4,850, to expand its successful pro bono training and referral project into Waukesha, Sheboygan, and Racine counties. The project focuses on expanding legal assistance to immigrant victims of domestic abuse through the development of panels of trained volunteer attorneys who can help resolve their immigration issues.
    • Marquette Legal Initiative for Nonprofits, $5,000, to develop and maintain a pro bono project using attorneys and law students to assist Milwaukee area nonprofits.
    • State Bar Public Interest Law Section Medical Debt/Health Care Coverage Denial Project, $5,000, to expand an initial training program and referral project for volunteer attorneys to assist clients experiencing financial difficulties resulting from medical debts and health care coverage denials.

    The State Bar's Pro Bono Initiative helps Wisconsin lawyers meet the challenge of addressing the unmet legal needs of low-income residents through a variety of methods, including the grant program, the Just Take Two Program, providing free LexisNexis for pro bono cases, reimbursement of costs on pro bono cases, and offering free insurance for volunteer lawyers.

    Through projects that involve collaboration between the judiciary, legal services providers, community organizations, and bar associations, the Pro Bono Initiative works to eliminate barriers to effective public access to the civil justice system. Since June 2006, the Pro Bono Initiative has provided grants totaling $74,350 to pro bono projects around the state.

    To apply for a grant, visit Legal Assistance Committee to download a grant application, send an email to Pro Bono, or call Brown at the State Bar at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6177. The next deadline for grant applications is Nov. 14.


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