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October 13, 2011 NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION KICKS OFF NATIONAL PRO BONO WEEK WITH PRO BONO EXPO ON OCTOBER 19Panel of distinguished judges, attorneys and local service providers to discuss growing need for volunteer services and how to find pro-bono opportunities
Pro Bono Week, established by the American Bar Association in 2009, shines a spotlight on the extraordinary efforts of thousands of attorneys who donate their time and talent to help society’s most vulnerable citizens. National Pro Bono Week runs from October 23 through 29. The State Bar Expo is intended to “demystify” what it takes to provide pro bono services. Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman and New York State Bar President Vincent E. Doyle III of Buffalo (Connors & Vilardo LLP) will open the program. A panel of distinguished jurists and attorneys from the Capital District will address issues related to providing pro bono service, including: • Level of experience and expertise needed Local legal service providers will discuss how to find pro bono opportunities tailored to an attorney’s specific experience and skills. “At a time when public funding of civil legal services is
imperiled, even as the need continues to grow, Capital District
attorneys have risen to the challenge, volunteering countless hours of
their time,” said State Bar President Doyle. “This Expo
offers attorneys ways they can help some of our most vulnerable and
needy neighbors.” To mark National Pro Bono Week, legal services organizations, local bar associations, law firms and law schools throughout the state will host free continuing legal education seminars, volunteer recruitment drives and legal clinics. For a full listing, visit www.nysba.org/probono. The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876. -30- Panelists include: Hon. George Lowe (US Magistrate Judge) |
