PRO BONO

PRO BONO

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE“It’s the right thing to do”

Agenda

Georgia Legal Services and the Unmet Need for Justice in Communities outsideof Metropolitan Atlanta B Safi Toure

Top 10 Reasons to Become a Pro Bono Lawyer

What is Next B Safi Toure

IN GEORGIA THERE IS ONE LAWYERFOR EVERY 250 PEOPLE WHO CANAFFORD A LAWYERBUTTHERE IS ONLY ONE LAWYER FOREVERY 10,500 LOW INCOMEGEORGIANS INCLUDINGCHILDREN AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Pro Bono Cases Referred by GLSP

2000

Bar AssociationIn partnership with

Georgia Legal Services Program

General Referrals

Reduced Fee Referrals

Pro Bono Referrals

GLSP Pro Bono Project

Bar Association

Top 10 Reasons To Become aPro Bono LawyerCourtesy of our Columbus Office

REASON TEN

Large Unmet Need

It is the right thing to do...Providing pro bonorepresentation helps fill the gap of unmet legalneeds for low-income clients that have no whereelse to turn.

Filling unmet legal needs also reduces the marketfilled by persons engaged in the unauthorizedpractice of law.

Reason Nine

Benefits to Volunteers

Volunteer Benefits

PChoose how many cases you want to take and when you want to take them

PVolunteers accepting 3 or more Pro Bono cases receive a $100 CLE voucher

PGeorgia Legal Services provides malpractice insurance protection for each probono case referred

PAccess to resource materials, specialist attorneys and back-up assistance fromGeorgia Legal Services attorneys

PFree or discounted trainings and legal education seminars provided by GeorgiaLegal Services

PRecognition in the State Bar Journal

PYearly Pro Bono awards are presented at the State Bar of Georgia annualmeeting

PGeorgia Legal Services Program screens for case merit and financial eligibility

Reason Eight

It Is Your Professional Obligation

Georgia Rules of Professional ConductRULE 6.1 VOLUNTARY PRO BONO PUBLICOSERVICE

A lawyer should aspire to render at least (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per year. In fulfilling thisresponsibility, the lawyer should:

(a) provide a substantial portion of the (50) hours of legal services without fee or expectation of fee to:

(1) persons of limited means; or

(2) charitable, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters which are designed primarilyto address the needs of persons of limited means; and

(b) provide any additional services through:

(1) delivery of legal services at no fee or substantially reduced fee to individuals, groups or organizations seeking tosecure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights, or charitable, civic, community, governmental andeducational organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes, where the payment of standardlegal fees would significantly deplete the organization's economic resources or would be otherwise inappropriate;

(2) delivery of legal services at a substantially reduced fee to persons of limited means; or

(3) participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession.

In addition, a lawyer should voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services topersons of limited means.

No reporting rules or requirements may be imposed without specific permission of the Supreme Court grantedthrough amendments to these Rules.

There is no disciplinary penalty for a violation of this Rule.

Reason Seven

You SHOULD consider it your moral obligation

to help grant justice to the poor.

Reason Six

PPro Bono service helps improve the public imageof attorneys...Service to the public is an effectiveway to improve our public image.

Reason Five

Because you can

Do you have an overwhelmingly large caseloadright now? If so, you will hardly notice adding onemore case to the load.

Is your caseload manageable right now? If so, youcan manage to work in one more pro bono case.

Reason Four

Special Projects and Opportunities: something for everyone

POpportunities to help the public:

Conduct an informational clinic or community educationsession for low-income clients.

Reason Three

YOU CAN HELP MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN ALOW INCOME PERSON=S LIFE:You might even learn something from your client

PHelp a family save their home

PKeep a child in school

PHelp low income families obtain legal custody,guardianship or adopt a family member

PHelp low income families access quality affordablehealth care

PProvide quality legal assistance to displaced andhomeless clients

PHelp individuals recover lost SS benefits

Reason Two

Pro Bono service helps protect the integrity of the legal system.

Pro bono service gives low income people a voicein the judicial system and reinforces the principlesof democracy that makes the United States ofAmerica a strong and great nation