Moving Forward in a Post-Pandemic World
October 24-30, 2021
The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service invites you to join us this October for the National Celebration of Pro Bono. The 2021 Celebration will center on the legal needs of vulnerable communities resulting from the pandemic. As we move forward in a post-pandemic world, we encourage programs to recognize the efforts of pro bono attorneys during the pandemic and to focus on the many impacts on vulnerable communities, such as evictions, housing injustice, racial disparities, and challenges to accessing legal services. The 2021 Celebration is an opportunity to connect pro bono providers and attorneys across the nation. We hope you will join us in 2021 to showcase the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities, and most of all, to the clients they serve.
Event Ideas for 2021
- Celebrate your volunteer attorneys on social media or your website. Share a testimonial from a volunteer attorney or a client on what pro bono means to them.
- Thank your volunteer attorneys at a virtual or in-person recognition event. Have noteworthy speakers from the community record a message to recognize your volunteers and encourage others to get involved.
- Engage lawyers at a clinic where they provide advice to clients in areas of need related to the pandemic, such as evictions.
- Inform attorneys by sponsoring CLE programs in areas of particular need such as evictions or bankruptcy. Or sponsor a CLE to educate attorneys on the need for pro bono and cultural competency when providing services.
- Highlight different pro bono opportunities through a virtual pro bono opportunities fair. Present short testimonials from program representatives and attorneys or clients on ways that attorneys can get involved.
Bonus Idea: mail or deliver some small appreciation items to your attorneys to let them know how much you appreciate their dedication to pro bono during challenging times.
The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is here support you with resources to assist with planning your events and campaigns. Visit our National Celebration of Pro Bono website for event ideas and resources, or contact the ABA’s Center for Pro Bono to help facilitate your planning.
As always, activities involving all aspects of pro bono are welcome and encouraged. The hashtag for the Celebration is #celebrateprobono. Highlight your community’s efforts by adding your event to the national registry!
Thank you for all you do to support your communities and volunteers. We appreciate you and look forward to the 2021 National Celebration of Pro Bono to recognize the amazing work you do every day.