Have efforts of leadership made pro bono fashionable?

By Eugenia C. Hunter

In the past few months, I have noticed a proliferation of “pro bono.” Ads for CLE on optimizing a firm’s pro bono offer a variety of practical techniques to quickly and effectively strengthen a pro bono program.

In the June issue of ISBA Bar News, there were three articles about pro bono: “Pro bono achievements will be recognized,” concerning the McAndrews Awards; “Pro bono efforts recognized at bar association programs,” citing the Peoria County, DuPage County and Vermillion County Bar Associations, and “CVLS 5K race funds pro bono.”

There were also three articles related to delivery of legal services issues. What is going on? Has pro bono suddenly become fashionable, or have the efforts of the ISBA and its leadership actually made a difference?

Recent past presidents have been huge supporters of pro bono, including institution of the Senior Lawyers Section Council, which encourages transitioning attorneys to consider pro bono as part of the transition, as well as the support of other pro bono programs and initiatives.

Many ISBA committees and section councils actively support the pro bono effort. The Committee on Delivery of Legal Services over the past decade has initiated or supported many programs to encourage pro bono, including the following:

1. Reporting of pro bono on the ARDC registration form.

2. Amendments of Supreme Court Rule 756 to allow inactive and retired status attorneys to provide pro bono under the auspices of an organized legal aid program.

3. Expansion of the McAndrews Pro Bono Service Awards to reflect changes in the legal practice.

4. Monthly articles in the Bar News about pro bono opportunities.

5. Interest on IOLTA funds being used for legal services.

6. The increase in ARDC fees for funds to be distributed to the legal aid community.

7. Legislative support for funding of the Legal Services Corporation and Equal Justice Foundation.

Why should attorneys do pro bono? There are several reasons. I would to submit that prime among them is the personal satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of our clients.

Also, creating an atmosphere that pro bono is a professional expectation may have encouraged participation by some who would not be participating but for awareness that the ARDC registration form requires this information.

Aside from serving the public interest, pro bono can improve a firm’s reputation, accelerate professional development for attorneys and enhance firm morale.

In spite of the apparent upswing of interest in pro bono, there is still a great need for legal services for those with limited income. It is estimated that organized legal services pro---grams can meet less than 20 percent of the need.

There is much to do. Won’t you become part of this new fashion? It’s good for you, our profession, and for society.

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Eugenia Hunter of Carbondale, is past chair of the ISBA Committee on Delivery of Legal Services, and a member of the Elder Law and Senior Lawyers Section Councils. For additional comment on legal assistance to the under-served, see Hearsay.

Foundation grant supports access in housing crises

An Illinois Bar Foundation grant of $10,000 supports a Chancery Court Access to Justice Program that provides pro bono representation to low-income individuals during housing crises.

The program is a cooperative venture of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation (CVLS) and the Cook County Circuit Court Chancery Division, which has appointed CVLS to counsel pro se parties.

Cases include mortgage foreclosures and partitions, actions to quiet title, subsidized housing evictions, and appeals of governmental administrative decisions.

CVLS staff attorneys review cases referred by the court, obtain necessary information, handle emergency court action, and place each eligible matter with a volunteer lawyer who represents the client through trial.

Staff attorneys also monitor each case, handle pro bono recruiting , and provide training and support for the most effective and productive representation.

The Access to Justice Program “brings the private bar into cases that traditionally were one-sided,” said CVLS executive director Margaret C. Benson.

“In addition to the obvious benefit to the client, this also helps shine the light on some of the more egregious mistreatment of low-income clients in today’s real estate world,” she added.

In its grant application, CVLDS pointed out news reports of an explosion of mortgage foreclosures, particularly among the working poor who have sought financing in the subprime and home equity loan markets.

Although touted as easy ways to pay off credit card bills, the barely affordable, adjustable-rate loans become cost-prohibitive when rates are increased. Many individuals lose their homes when they are unable to make payments.

Low-income homeowners need legal representation to protect them, CVLS noted. The law and court procedures are complex, and pro se clients usually can’t survive the process without assistance.

For more information, or to volunteer for pro bono service, contact Benson at (312) 332-5542 or mbenson@cvls.org.