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  • November 04, 2015

    Jump-start a Pro Bono Program – Apply for a Pro Bono Initiative Grant by Dec. 31

    Nov. 4, 2015 – Here’s a chance to jump-start or enhance your firm’s or organization’s pro bono program.

    The State Bar of Wisconsin Legal Assistance Committee is offering Pro Bono Initiative grants of up to $5,000 to members or organizations to develop, support, or expand pro bono legal services projects in their communities. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.

    The committee is looking to support projects that engage volunteers in addressing unmet legal needs in local communities.

    “You can really create a sizable project with $5,000,” said Beth Richlen, of Wisconsin Judicare Inc., Wausau, and chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin Legal Assistance Committee. “You can use the grant to pay for training, equipment, pro bono information to the public.”

    Wisconsin Judicare’s online pro bono legal advice project, Northern Wisconsin Legal Advice Project, is a past recipient of an Initiative grant.

    The State Bar’s 2015 pro bono survey demonstrates that more lawyers are doing pro bono service in Wisconsin, and are seeking more ways to do even more.

    The success of the Pro Bono Initiative depends on individual and organizational creativity and effort, says State Bar Pro Bono Coordinator Jeff Brown. “I’m very proud of the pro bono projects that got their start with financial and planning support from the Pro Bono Initiative.”

    Past Grant Recipient: The Student Expulsion Prevention Project

    The Student Expulsion and Prevention Project (StEPP), organized by the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, is one example of a pro bono project that started with a $4,000 Pro Bono Initiative grant.

    The project aims to stop the “school-to-prison pipeline,” according to one of the founders, Diane Rondini-Harness, who works in the State Public Defender’s Office. Rondini-Harness serves as a liaison between the pro bono attorneys and the families seeking representation, and was honored this month by the State Bar as a legal innovator.

    StEPP’s goal is to keep more students in school and reduce the minority achievement gap that results from the disproportionate number of minority students being expelled. The program began with the Madison Metropolitan School District but recently expanded to all districts in Dane County.

    In the program, volunteer lawyers are trained to represent children facing expulsion or suspension from a school district. More than 30 lawyers attended the program’s initial training in January.

    “We’re certainly looking for other lawyers who want to participate,” Rondini-Harness said.

    Since its inception, StEPP volunteers have represented six students in expulsion hearings, with three who were not expelled and the others expelled for less time than initially sought by the school district.

    Melinda Giftos of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek and solo practitioner Anthony Jurek were among the first to volunteer with the program. With resources and training provided by the State Public Defenders Office, Giftos and Jurek ventured outside of their practice areas – corporate law and criminal defense – to handle a case.

    “Neither of us knew much about this subject,” Giftos said, “but together we were able to navigate it well.” Jurek added, “We brought entirely different skills sets, but our strengths and weaknesses complemented one another.

    Their efforts made a difference in the life of a 15-year-old student from LaFollette High School in Madison, who was expelled after he bought a joint from another student at school. His grandmother called the incident at LaFollette an impulsive, stupid mistake. While she agreed he should be suspended for his conduct, she strongly disagreed with expulsion.

    With punishment seeming in disproportion to the crime, Giftos and Jurek ultimately went to the Madison School Board, to see if the policy could change after school officials repeatedly told them there was nothing they could do.

    Recognizing that zero tolerance does not work, the Madison School Board changed the policy. “Now school officials evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis,” Giftos said.

    The 15-year-old student eventually was allowed to return to school.

    “We accomplished a positive result for our client and the case had a positive impact on school board policy for students in the future. I’d call that a home run,” Jurek said.

    Why Do Pro Bono Work?

    Time is as a premium, and doing pro bono work does not pay the bills. But the real payment comes in other, intangible rewards.

    “The StEPP case was one of the most fulfilling cases in my career, and it was an honor to meet and work with the student and his family. It is easy to get impassioned about a case involving a child’s education and potential repercussions that could affect his entire life,” Giftos said.

    “As a sole practitioner, I do pro bono work on a case-by-case basis,” Jurek said, “but this program drew my interest. I wish I had more time for pro bono work, but I have to pick and choose.”

    Both attorneys have advice for others considering pro bono work.

    Jurek said, “It will take time you don’t have. It will cost money you wish you had. But it’s worth it. You won’t know the full value until you’ve done it, so just do it. You will make a difference in someone’s life.”

    “People struggle with life issues and don’t know where to turn. Giving them some of our time can mean the world to them,” Giftos said. “Some attorneys are afraid to do pro bono work because it might not be their area of law, but training and resources are available. Pro bono work gives you experience you might not otherwise get and brings a sense of freshness. I learned a lot. It’s also fun!”

    Lawyers interested in participating in the project should contact the StEPP program via email at stepp.probono@gmail.com.


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