It’s National Pro Bono Week!
In this harsh economy, lawyers and law students have had to meet an unprecedented demand for free or low-cost legal services by volunteering, interning, and/or providing pro bono legal services. Every year, the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service dedicates National Pro Bono Week to showcasing the impact of such important legal work across the country.
This year’s National Pro Bono Week celebration is happening until October 27, 2012, with events like pop-up legal clinics, panel discussions, and community service opportunities nationally coordinated in an effort to raise awareness about the need to continue expanding the delivery of pro bono services.
The ABA is also celebrating with JUST Stories, a digital video collection of legal advocacy stories highlighting the impact of pro bono work on lawyers and the clients they serve. The “video quilt” is housed on the home page of the National Pro Bono Celebration site, along with instructions on how to send in your own JUST Story.
For planning tips and guides, the ABA has a page full of resources to help participants come up with event ideas, fundraising materials, promotional materials, and more. For more information on the 2012 National Pro Bono Week celebration, visit the ABA’s Celebrate Pro Bono site!