Feb. 5, 2020 – You’ve done the hardest part: You stood up and volunteered your time. Now, the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society would like to recognize your service and inspire more lawyers to follow your example.
The Pro Bono Honor Society, created by the Access to Justice Commission with support from the State Bar of Wisconsin, recognizes Wisconsin lawyers who volunteer at least 50 hours of their time annually to help expand access to justice for low-income Wisconsin residents.
Through SCR 20:6.1, the Wisconsin Supreme Court set a goal of 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year as a way of acknowledging that the legal profession has an important role to play in helping to close the justice gap in Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin lawyers do amazing pro bono work throughout the year,” says State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono program manager Jeff Brown. “This is a chance to thank them for their commitment to equal justice under the law.”
Certify Your Service by Feb. 28
Now is the time to submit your certification. Lawyers may self-certify that they qualify for Pro Bono Honor Society status based on their service in 2019. In addition, others who have knowledge of the attorney’s pro bono work – such as law firms, pro bono programs, legal aid organizations, and judges – may submit a certification for an attorney.
Submit certifications using the online form on the Pro Bono Honor Society webpage.
Which Pro Bono Services Qualify?
“Qualifying pro bono legal services” for this program means the direct provision of legal services without fee or expectation of fee, or at a substantially reduced fee, to:
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persons of limited means;
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organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; or
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charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, and educational organizations to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights so long as a substantial majority of such services benefit persons of limited means or organizations that serve persons of limited means.
Examples include public defender appointments, guardian ad litem appointments, and Wisconsin Judicare cases.
What Does Inclusion in the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society Mean?
An annual list of the honorees will be posted on the website for the Access to Justice Commission, and the State Bar’s InsideTrack newsletter and Wisconsin Lawyer™ magazine. The commission also works with bar associations and judges to organize local recognition events.
Inclusion in the Pro Bono Honor Society supports and encourages pro bono service in Wisconsin. Find pro bono opportunities that fit your interests and skills through the searchable online pro bono directory on the State Bar’s website, WisBar.org.
If you have questions about the Pro Bono Honor Society, please send an email to Jeff Brown.
Learn more about the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society on the commission’s website. To find more opportunities for pro bono service, visit the State Bar Pro Bono webpage.
