Throughout the year the Project organizes informational meetings for members of civil law firms to learn about the need for their assistance as volunteer counsel in death penalty cases.
In February 2008 Staff Attorney Michele Meitl traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to discuss pro bono opportunities with civil law firm attorneys. The lunchtime meeting was held at the U.S. District Courthouse and hosted by Chief District Judge Barbara B. Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin. Volunteer lawyers Michael Gonring and Ray Jamieson from Quarles & Brady LLP, James Friedman from Godfrey & Kahn and David Harth, Gabrielle Brina and David Jones from Heller Ehrman LLP all spoke at the meeting about their experiences representing death row prisoners.
Following the meeting, Foley & Lardner LLP (Madison offices) accepted a case.
In April 2008 the Project also held a successful meeting at the U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle, Washington. Nearly fifty participants gathered for the event, which was hosted by Circuit Court Judge Richard C. Tallman, Chief District Judge Robert S. Lasnik, and Chief District Judge James L. Robart, all of whom spoke about the nee:I for and importance of doing pro bono death penalty work. Speakers also included volunteer lawyers Gwendolyn Payton of Lane Powell PC, Joanne Hepburn Benson of K & L Gates, and Nicholas Gellert of Perkins Coie LLP.