PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT:
Thomas Solberg
State Bar of Wisconsin
(608) 250-6025
(608) 630-0432 (cell)
(800) 444-9404 ext. 6025
tsolberg@wisbar.org
Wisconsin attorneys highlight free legal assistance
activities
October 28, 2011 — Thousands of Wisconsin residents who face
foreclosure or other legal challenges find that the promise of equal
justice can be out of reach because they can’t afford legal
representation. To help fill this gap, Wisconsin attorneys offer a range
of pro bono legal services, some of which are highlighted this week as
part of the third annual "National Pro
Bono Week Celebration."
Pro bono refers to legal work that lawyers do without a fee or
for a substantially reduced fee for those in need. This year, as part of
the National Pro Bono Celebration in Wisconsin, lawyers and law schools
are recognizing the volunteers who make a difference in meeting the
legal needs of Wisconsin residents. Information about events in
Wisconsin and around the country is available online. Examples of pro
bono initiatives supported by State Bar of Wisconsin members
include:
Just
Take Two is a voluntary pledge by Wisconsin lawyers to take at least
two new pro bono matters for low-income individuals or for non-profit
groups that primarily serve low-income communities in the next 12
months.
The Modest
Means Program assists people whose income is too high for free legal
services, but too low to pay an attorney's standard rate. Volunteers
agree to provide services at reduced cost to moderate income clients who
have been pre-screened for eligibility.
Through the Wisconsin Wills for
Heroes program hundreds of volunteer attorneys have participated in
clinics around the state where they prepare wills and other essential
documents for eligible police, fire and other first responders.
The State Bar supports the Military Pro Bono Project,
which enables Judge Advocate General (JAG) offices worldwide to
pre-screen civil legal matters for deployed service members that are
then referred to participating attorneys.
The State Bar also collaborates with organizations that provide legal
assistance to homeowners, sponsor attorney training and
provide start-up grants for new pro bono projects. These include the Dane County Foreclosure
Prevention Taskforce and the Milwaukee Foreclosure
Mediation Program.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional
association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who
hold a Wisconsin law license. With more than 24,000 members, the State
Bar aids the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides
continuing legal education for its members to help them maintain their
expertise, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out community
service initiatives to educate the public about the legal system and the
value of lawyers. For more information, visit www.wisbar.org.
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