Spotlight on pro bono

A golden age of giving resources and talent is emerging as baby boomers reach the period in their lives when they have the time and ability to make a difference.

Boomers, like Bill Gates and U-2's Bono, are working to eradicate disease, to expand agriculture, and to solve problems that are critical in the fight against poverty. While most of us do not have the resources of Gates or Bono in large numbers, even small acts can produce big results.

According to the AARP, the maturing generation is 78 million strong. During her tenure as ISBA president, Irene F. Bahr had the foresight to recognize this demographic bonanza.

Bahr formed a Special Committee on Master Attorneys that quickly became the Senior Lawyers Section. One of its goals is to promote a “second season of service” by attorneys who are slowing down or retiring.

It has been my privilege to serve on the special committee and the newly formed section council, which is a perfect fit with working on the Committee for Delivery of Legal Services.

The section council is working to remove some of the impediments to retired attorneys in providing pro bono services. The areas that seem most problematic may include: ARDC registration, including MCLE; malpractice insurance, and legal resources and support staff.

The Committee for Delivery of Legal Services and the Senior Lawyers Section Council have supported (and the Assembly considered at the annual meeting) an amendment to Supreme Court Rule 756 that would authorize attorneys on retired status to provide pro bono legal services under auspices of not-for-profit legal services organizations, public defenders, law school clinical programs or bar association pro bono services.

The amendment would also provide an exemption from MCLE.

When volunteering with any of the major legal service providers, a volunteer attorney is covered by malpractice insurance and is provided support services. In addition, Fastcase legal research is provided free to all ISBA members

The opportunities for meaningful pro bono are unlimited, and something is available for everyone. Some examples are regularly scheduled periods in a legal service office, taking individual cases from a legal services provider, or providing training to young lawyers that has been gained by year of years of experience.

Contact your local legal service office to discuss opportunities or go on-line to www.illinoisprobono.org. Two organizations may appeal to those who enjoy foreign travel.

International Senior Lawyers Project is dedicated to using the law in underdeveloped countries to promote human rights, social welfare, equitable economic development and access to justice. Check out the opportunities at www.islp.org.

The Center for International Legal Studies provides visiting professorships to senior lawyers in eastern Europe and the former republics of the Soviet Union. See www.cilsorg.

These exotic opportunities do not solve the problems set forth in “2005 Legal Needs Study for Illinois,” but they might whet one' appetite to come home and have a local legal services experience.

While you are planning your “second season of service” consider joining the Senior Lawyer Section. It is open to all ISBA members who are 55 years old or who have practiced law for 25 years.

The section not only offers opportunities for you to serve, but also will provide services and valuable information to senior attorneys about a variety of matters of interest in retirement.

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