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.
As an honoree of the 2008 Empire State Counsel® Program
the Association invites you to submit a photograph together with a brief
statement explaining why you perform Pro Bono service for inclusion in
the 2008 Empire State Counsel® Photo Gallery. The
Photo Gallery will be displayed during NYSBA’s Annual Meeting
which takes place January 26-31, 2009 at the New York Marriott Marquis,
1535 Broadway, New York City. Please submit your photo and
comments to dharrington@nysba.org
no later than December 31,
2008. Photographs and comments received after this date will
not be included.
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 2008 program, click here to download a PDF version of
the verification form.
| Empire State Counsel, Pro Bono program |
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