Pro bono celebration focuses on law in everyday life

Next week, lawyers and law firms across the country will be participating in volunteer events as part of the National Celebration of Pro Bono, which runs Oct. 23-29. This year, ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross is highlighting the theme of “Law in Everyday Life” and will focus attention on ways in which access to legal assistance affects historically excluded and low-income individuals across the country in all aspects of life.

“Every year the ABA mobilizes lawyers throughout the country to provide services during the National Celebration of Pro Bono as part of our long-term commitment to furthering access to justice,” Enix-Ross said. “The need for legal services is ever-growing, and lawyers have a responsibility to help provide that assistance. Together we make a difference as we recognize the impact that pro bono help has to those in need.”

In the 13 years since the national celebration began in 2009, more than 12,000 pro bono events have taken place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. Recently, the national celebration has focused on specific themes, including service to victims of domestic violence, veterans, homeless youth and disaster resiliency.

Among the events taking place during the National Celebration of Pro Bono are:

• The ABA Tax Section on Oct. 24-27 is holding a Virtual Settlement Week, in which volunteer attorneys are matched with unrepresented taxpayers to meet and discuss settlement with the IRS Chief Counsel attorney assigned to the case.
• In Lorain, Ohio, on Oct. 25, the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is hosting an advice clinic, where participants can meet with attorneys to discuss a legal issue related to housing, family matters, consumer rights, health, education, work, income or immigration.
• In Daytona Beach, Florida, on Oct. 26, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida is holding a Pro Bono Walk-in Clinic.
• In Boston on Oct. 26, the Boston Bar Association and Project Citizenship will hold a workshop to help pre-screened applicants complete or review their applications for naturalization.
• In Tucson, Arizona, on Oct. 27, lawyers from Mesch Clark & Rothschild are partnering with Step Up to Justice to host an all-day clinic.
• In Jackson, Mississippi, on Oct. 27, Bradley law firm will join Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project for a hybrid “Clear the Queue” Legal Clinic.

Also held during the Celebration of Pro Bono is ABA Giving Day on Thursday, Oct. 27. Organized by the ABA Fund for Justice and Education, Giving Day raises awareness and support for 16 areas of the ABA that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education programs.

Related links:

• ABA Fund for Justice and Education
• ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service
• ABA Journal:
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  • Donations for ABA Giving Day more than double previous year’s total