Helen Raschke Pro Bono Award

Must read this very inspiring article from the The Black Hills Pioneer (SD)"If you were to talk to Helen Raschke of Lead, she would tell you that the best years of her life were spent doing pro bono work because she was helping people in trouble. "In April of this year, Raschke was honored as an award was given in her name for the work she did for 16 years as a Private Attorney...

“Senior Legal Hotline connects seniors with the experts”

Sounds like a good volunteering opportunity described in this Chico, CA newspaper article. Does your local government or bar association offer similar programs?"The Senior Legal Hotline is surely one of the best kept secrets. The hotline provides California residents over the age of 60 with fast, accurate advice on any legal subject by phone, from Social Security issues to age...

NFPA Pro Bono Conference

Tip of that hat to LawCrossing for pointing to this info: "While reviewing news releases and other noteworthy items pertaining to the paralegal world this week, I came across a notice about an upcoming Pro Bono Conference sponsored by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). The conference, which will be held in Denver at Holland & Hart on March 24 and 25, 2007, will...

“Law-firm employees receive pro bono awards”

Good news for these individuals & for their firm's pro bono program! "Six lawyers and one paralegal are the first recipients of Charles L. Whistler Pro Bono Awards at Baker & Daniel law firm. "Rhonda Jackson is a paralegal who helped coordinate the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society's annual holiday fund-raising campaign during the last three years." Noted on Baker &...

“Paralegals in position to improve reputation of legal profession”

Well, yeah! This is indeed a welcome news article: "Paralegals are critical to improving the reputation of lawyers in the community. The legal profession still suffers from negative stereotypes and some do indeed think we're better off 'at the bottom of the sea,' as the lawyer joke goes. Paralegals can pull lawyers out of this muddy, messy, pool of disrepute by displaying the following...

“Corporations Decry Official’s Detainee Screed”

So far, corporations aren't following Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Charles Stimson's suggestion that they boycott firms representing Guantanamo detainees: "It’s a rare day when law firms get called out for their pro bono work. "But that’s exactly what happened when Pentagon official Charles “Cully” Stimson rattled off a list of firms representing Guantánamo Bay...

Pentagon official draws criticism

Ah, think the guy who's slammed law firms' representation of detainees should be fired...or disbarred? "Charles 'Cully' Stimson, deputy assistant secretary for defense for detainee affairs, has sparked a firestorm of anger, from Capitol Hill to America's law schools to even conservative quarters. "He told a Washington, D.C., Beltway radio station last week that American corporations...

“Law Departments Join Firms and Nonprofits in Pro Bono Efforts”

Good news! More pro bono activity usually means more work for paralegals: "In 2000, the Pro Bono Institute formed the Corporate Pro Bono Organization in collaboration with the Association of Corporate Counsel to advocate for and promote corporate pro bono efforts. At that time, 'corporate pro bono was an oxymoron,' said Esther Lardent, president of PBI. 'People looked at you like it was...

“Paralegal to meet with senior citizens”

Does this seem like the unauthorized practice of law to you? "Judy Clay, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma’s senior citizens paralegal, will visit Northern Oklahoma Development Authority from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday."She will meet with Garfield County seniors who want information on legal matters or have legal questions. The session is free. No appointment is...