Vol. 78, No. 3, March
2005
Pro Bono - For the Public Good
If you'd like to have a positive impact on the life of a low-income
person who needs your legal expertise and service, consider taking the
"Just Take Two" pro bono pledge as part of the State Bar's Pro Bono
Initiative.
by Michelle A. Behnke
Much of my time as State Bar president thus far has been
spent visiting local bar associations and talking with members about
funding for civil legal services and about lawyers' obligations with
respect to pro bono legal services. "Pro bono publico," the phrase in
our Rules of Professional Conduct, literally means for the good of the
public. Many people have taken this phrase to mean only direct legal
services to indigent persons for free. While there is clearly a need for
legal services for poor people, I think it is important to keep in mind
the true meaning of pro bono publico.
I believe that lawyers absolutely have an obligation to do things
that are for the good of the public. Providing direct legal services is
one important way that lawyers do good for the public. However, it is
not the only way. Many lawyers contribute to their communities by
serving as Cub Scout or Girl Scout leaders, volunteering in schools,
coaching mock trial teams, speaking to the public and service clubs,
mentoring disadvantaged students, serving on neighborhood association
boards, or coaching youth sports teams. Other lawyers serve meals or do
maintenance work at shelters for homeless people or battered women.
Still others give blood or volunteer in hospitals. The list of
activities is varied and rich. Each lawyer chooses for himself or
herself a way to do good for the public. As wonderful as all of these
activities are, there is a great need for direct legal services.
"Just Take Two" pro bono campaign is underway, needs your
participation
The State Bar, in cooperation with local bar associations, legal aid
programs, and community and social service organizations, is
spearheading a campaign, Just Take Two, to recruit lawyers to
help address the access to justice crisis in Wisconsin. The goal is to
improve effective access to the civil justice system by increasing the
availability of pro bono lawyers for low-income Wisconsin residents.
Just Take Two is very simple. It's a voluntary pledge by Wisconsin
lawyers to take at least two new pro bono matters for low-income
individuals or for nonprofit groups that primarily serve low-income
communities in the next 12 months.
To assist lawyers' pro bono work, the State Bar and other
organizations have established several programs to relieve some of the
costs, efforts, and risks to performing pro bono services:
- free professional liability insurance
- advisors on call
- free and low-cost training
- extensive how-to manuals
- free computerized research
- pre-screened pro bono clients
In addition to the good feeling you'll experience by helping others
in need, pro bono work allows you to build or expand your practice
areas, network with other attorneys, and increase your practice
potential.
To learn more about the Pro Bono Initiative and to take the Just Take
Two pledge, visit Legal
Assistance Committee, or phone the State Bar pro bono coordinator at
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6177.
The State Bar's Pro Bono Initiative began before my term. The pilot
efforts underway as part of the initiative focus in Judicial Districts 1
(Milwaukee County), 5 (the Dane County area), and 7 (the La Crosse
County area). These programs are not a replacement for the great works
that were already present but a means to increase awareness of pro bono
needs and to facilitate and coordinate the delivery of expanded pro bono
services to low-income Wisconsin residents. There is an overwhelming
need for legal assistance. People who cannot get legal assistance will
suffer, and their problems will likely compound.
If you are looking for pro bono legal service opportunities, I
encourage you to take the Just Take Two pro bono pledge. It's easy, and
you can do it online by going to the Legal Assistance Committee page on
WisBar, www.wisbar.org/committees/leg. We need your help in serving the
legal needs of poor people. The work is rewarding and often makes a
substantial impact on the life of a client. Ensuring access to our legal
system is vitally important, and that access can't be limited just to
those people who can afford to hire a lawyer. If you're already
providing legal services for free or at a reduced rate, thank you! If
you haven't done so recently, please consider volunteering and taking on
a case or two! We know that the need is there, and it can't be
filled just by legal service agencies or legal clinics. We all need to
roll up our sleeves and pump new blood into our pro bono legal services
initiative.
For many lawyers, daily life is a juggling act of trying to balance
work obligations, family obligations, and providing service to the
public. We are constantly trying to do good for the public and our
communities. Despite the juggling needed to manage our responsibilities
and obligations, I see lawyers' consistent level of care and commitment
to their clients, the public, and their communities. Ours is a noble and
caring profession. I get to see the good works of lawyers every day.
Wisconsin Lawyer