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    Pro Bono Opportunities

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    ABA’s Partnership With CLDP

    The American Bar Association Senior Lawyers Division, Business Law Section, and Section of International Law developed a partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program [CLDP] to provide members with pro bono international legal opportunities.  CLDP, a program of the DOC’s General Counsel’s Office, provides technical legal (commercial law) assistance to requesting foreign countries (primarily developing and post-conflict). Given that many ABA lawyers often have substantial expertise in a variety of legal fields—the ABA has developed a process to provide pro bono opportunities to its members on CLDP projects. Many interesting and challenging international commercial law assignments, employing ABA members’ extensive expertise, are available.  Contact: Bob Lutz with cover letter and CV, if interested.

    Calling National Security And/Or Gov’t Contracting Experts: Great Pro Bono Opportunity (Argentina)

    What? CLDP is supporting the development of infrastructural project tenders in Latin America by advising on managing national security risks in the procurement of infrastructure projects, particularly when there is no existing institutional, legal framework, or mechanism for investment screening.

    Who? CLDP seeks pro bono assistance from a national security law attorney or legal advisor (experience in foreign investment screening, government contracts and/infrastructure projects). 

    How? Advisories with Argentine officials will initially be done remotely.  Proficiency in Spanish not required.

    Where? Initially done remotely.

    When? First sessions are currently scheduled for the next several months. Please respond immediately if interested.

    If interested in this opportunity, immediately send cover letter PLUS resume to: Robert E. Lutz, [email protected]

    If you have any questions, please contact Bob at (213) 610-4850 (Pacific Time) or email.

    Pro Bono Opportunities with CLDP

    The ABA Senior Lawyers Division’s International Committee and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (“CLDP”) collaborated in April 2021 to bring pro bono opportunities to senior lawyers. CLDP is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of General Counsel that was established in 1992. CLDP helps post-conflict and developing countries worldwide create legislative, regulatory, and judicial environments conducive to trade and investment. To learn of new opportunities, join the SLD International Committee.

    Walk To End Alzheimer's

    Our Senior Lawyers Division is partnering with the Alzheimer's Association and the Walk To End Alzheimer's, which is being held this Fall in communities across America.  In 2023, the SLD had 6 teams nationwide with 38 participants raising a record $3,105. And we'd like to encourage you to join the team!  Please visit our dedicated website.  Once there, click "Start a Team" and put in your zip code to form a local team in your community.  Or, if you prefer to make a donation to help find the cures for this disease, you can support one of our existing teams Learn more here.

    Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA)

    Volunteer opportunities: CILA hosts a platform on our website called Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation that features pro bono opportunities in children’s and families’ immigration law cases across the nation. We welcome individuals to go to the webpage, take a look at the case cards on the platform, and express interest in a pro bono opportunity if they want to get involved. The posting organization will then reach out to the potential pro bono attorney, provide more case details, and help them get started if it’s a good fit.

    Written resources & Newsletter: In addition to hosting free trainings, the CILA team also creates written resources like the CILA Pro Bono Guide: Working with Children and Youth in Immigration Cases to support pro bono attorneys. We share information about CILA’s resources and upcoming trainings with those interested in pro bono through a quarterly newsletter.

    Scholar Exchanges — National Constitution Center

    Program Overview and Logistics: The National Constitution Center hosts a Scholar Exchanges program that gives students the opportunity to discuss constitutional topics with a lawyer, judge, or constitutional scholar and their peers from around the country. In this setting, we hope students gain a deeper constitutional understanding and engage in enhanced civil discourse. We work primarily with High School and Middle School students and all of the Scholar Exchanges are virtual, usually on Zoom, and are scheduled for 45 minutes. The scholar, NCC moderator and class(es) of students will join to discuss a topic related to the Constitution. 

    Scholar Participation: When it comes to participation, Scholars are under no obligation to teach a certain number of classes. The NCC keeps a mailing list of participating scholars and scholars can decide whenever there is a class time that works for their schedule. Once a class time has been agreed upon, the NCC will send along the zoom link to join as well as a content script and PowerPoint that is used in each class. The script is paired with the slides of the presentation and provides a framework for the discussion. However, scholars are encouraged to include personal experiences and observations during the class. 

    Scholars will be supported in each class by a member of the National Constitution Center's Education Team. The NCC moderator takes care of sharing the PowerPoint and facilitating the conversation, as well as providing any additional assistance scholars may require. 

    Shadowing: Scholars are always welcome to observe a class. If there is a class that you would like to observe, please email [email protected]. 

    Program Topics: We offer a number of topics that teachers can choose from.The following topics are offered throughout the year:

    • Constitutional Conversations

    • Federalism and the Separation of Powers

    • Bill of Rights

    • First Amendment: Speech and Press

    • 14th Amendment

    • Voting Rights

    Go to the National Consitution Center website to schedule a session now! If you have any questions, or would like to review additional program topics, please do not hesitate to email [email protected].