Technola : Public Interest Law & Technology Updates & Commentary : Matthew Burnett & Kate Bladow : Tech Advice for the Non-Profit Legal Sector

Yesterday in my post "Thanking the Lawyers Who Go Above and Beyond: National Pro Bono Celebration 2009," I mentioned the message of National Pro Bono Celebration--recognizing volunteers who help increase access to justice and encouraging more legal professionals to participate. (Or in the words of the Montana Justice Foundation: "Recognize, Recruit, Mobilize!")

What I didn't know was that the medium that organizations would be using to deliver this message would be video. (Okay, so I had a hint when I highlighted Maryland's video, but I didn't know how popular video would be.) At least six states have posted videos praising lawyers who provide free legal services and encouraging others to get involved:

• Alabama: Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Week Message
• Arkansas: Perspectives on Pro Bono
• Florida: One Promise Florida
• Illinois: CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week 2009 Kick Off Video with Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke
• Maryland: National Pro Bono Week 2009
• Ohio: Pro Bono Celebration

All are nice examples of how video can be used to promote an event and a cause.

So, am I missing any? Let me know in the comments. - K

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The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which is the foundation for the ethical and professional guidelines that lawyers follow in most states, includes a rule that encourages lawyers to provide free legal services to people who cannot afford attorneys:

Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should aspire to render at least (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per year. In fulfilling this responsibility, the lawyer should: provide a substantial majority of the (50) hours of legal services without fee or expectation of fee to: (1) persons of limited means or (2) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means . . .

To recognize the many lawyers who provide free legal services,  the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service organized the National Pro Bono Celebration. Together from October 25-31, communities around the United States will celebrate these individuals and the amazing work that they do.

So this week, you'll see a lot of news about activities celebrating legal volunteers. The best part: many of these events are opportunities to provide free legal services. So if you want to get involved, you can. Check out the Celebrate Pro Bono website to see an interactive map of local events. (And if you are reading this post on or after October 31, it's not too late. Help is needed throughout the year, not just this week. Check out the National Pro Bono Opportunities Guide for local pro bono programs that you can work with.)

I promise, you'll feel good about helping others, and you might even have an enjoyable time. I know that I did. On Saturday, I helped out at the Baltimore Pro Bono Day, ushering people to meet with attorneys. Almost everyone came out of their attorney meetings more relaxed, and I even saw a few smiles. A huge thank you to all of the attorneys, law students, and legal aid staff who turned out. In four hours, over 100 people received legal help! - K

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