Honoring Attorneys Who Change
The Lives of Poor New Yorkers
Lawyers who serve the poor without charge should be celebrated. By
generously donating their time and talent, they change lives. They help
people who otherwise could not afford counsel achieve
justice. The New York State Bar Association would like to recognize
members who render free legal services to the poor. Every year, a few
lawyers win our awards for their outstanding pro bono service, but the
Association believes that every lawyer who provides a substantial amount
of free legal services to the poor should be honored.
Therefore, in 2006, we created a program to give special recognition
to members who provide 50 hours of legal services in a calendar year, at
no fee and without expectation of fee, to persons of limited financial
means; not for profit, governmental or public services organizations,
where the legal services are designed primarily to address the legal and
other basic needs of persons of limited financial means; or
organizations specifically designed to increase the availability of
legal services to persons of limited financial means. Members who report
such voluntary service will be given the honorific title “Empire
State Counsel,” which they can use as a credential. They will also
receive a certificate, a ribbon, and a lapel pin.
If you are not sure how to find appropriate opportunities, please go
to the Pro Bono
Opportunities Guide , a statewide online resource that helps you
find such opportunities at programs in your location and in your area of
interest.
To participate in the 2007 program, click here to download a PDF version of
the verification form.
| Empire State Counsel, Pro Bono program |
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