Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files

Driving Change in Puerto Rico

Pro bono work is usually focused on the power of legal representation. How does one organization use pro bono legal help to promote fundamental change? Can pro bono lawyers be mobilized to amplify the voices of the marginalized?

Pursuing Justice sits down with Ariadna Godreau Aubert to explore how Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico is working with pro bono lawyers to educate and partner with communities to advocate for a more responsive legal system.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Crossing Boundaries

How does the world of private practice work successfully with that of nonprofits? Ultimately both sides want to do good and find the best results for their pro bono clients in desperate need of representation and resolution. Pursuing Justice sits down with Brenna DeVaney, Director of Skadden’s global pro bono practice; Jennifer Kroman, Director of Cleary Gottlieb’s pro bono practice; and Annie Pineda, Director of Pro Bono at The Bronx Defenders, to glean best practices for building successful working relationships.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

A single mother is raising four sons when her newborn stops gaining weight. She brings the child to the hospital for a diagnosis, but someone makes a call to the child abuse hotline. Later that night, she answers her door – and the nightmare begins.

Having to send your child away while the authorities investigate you is a mother’s worst nightmare. In this case, it was just the beginning, as the mother later discovered that she had been placed on a child abuse list which would restrict how she could earn a living or even participate in her sons’ activities. It took dedication and special experience to resolve these multiple issues.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Mentoring for Pro Bono Excellence

Big Law lawyers are among the best-resourced counsel out there, and they are eager to provide pro bono assistance for those that need it most. But legal issues faced by women dealing with poverty and domestic violence are a far cry from the legal needs of corporations and multinational organizations. Pursuing Justice explores how one organization is mentoring Big Law lawyers to harness their amazing potential as pro bono lawyers.

We speak with Immigration, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking expert Hamra Ahmad, Legal Director at Her Justice, to share best practices on training and mentoring lawyers looking to jumpstart their pro bono practice. Based in New York, Her Justice focuses on recruiting and mentoring volunteer lawyers to provide free legal help to address legal issues faced by women living in poverty.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

 

Paying Off Others' Debts

Imagine waking up tomorrow and being sued for tens of thousands of dollars to pay your ex-husband’s debt — a debt you had no part in creating.

Dorothy thought her difficult divorce was far behind her, but years later, her ex-husband had amassed a debt which threatened to evict her from her own home. Facing a committed collection lawyer, she felt overwhelmed until a smart pro bono team found a creative way to solve this legal problem and save her home.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Turning an Idea into a Movement

Millions of low-income Californians face pressing legal problems without access to legal help. Julia R. Wilson, CEO of OneJustice, explains how the nonprofit she leads has provided legal assistance to more than a quarter-million residents of the Golden State.

Because lawyers are largely based in cities, pro bono services are predominantly dedicated to urban areas, often leaving rural communities to fend for themselves. OneJustice brings life-changing legal help to those in need by transforming the legal aid system—an important mission in a state as varied as California. The statewide nonprofit’s success has been built on making what it calls “an innovation lab on legal services” that has helped forge a network of 100+ nonprofit legal organizations, law firms, law schools, and businesses to deliver pro bono assistance.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

"This is NOT Our Area of Expertise"

A natural disaster strikes Haiti. A plane full of medical volunteers and supplies sits on a tarmac hundreds of miles away waiting for clearance. What’s stopping them from delivering this much needed cargo? And how does a corporate attorney in New York solve the problem?

In 2010, Haiti was devastated by a catastrophic earthquake that registered 7.0 on the Richter scale. Relief efforts, medical assistance and supplies were urgently needed. Partners In Health, a Boston-based nonprofit health care organization, gathered volunteers and supplies, and loaded them on a plane. Everything was ready to go — or so they thought. Stranded at Logan International Airport, the nonprofit turned to Rob Kiesel, then a partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel, who had the perfect match of skills to a very particular set of needs.

Related CLE content: Connect with our on-demand pro bono disaster relief resources to help prepare you to assist disaster survivors in critical need.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Welcome to Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files

Practising Law Institute (PLI), a nonprofit provider of authoritative legal training and continuing education, is excited to announce the launch of Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files, a new limited series podcast focused solely on the pro bono and public interest community.

Hosted by long-time legal services advocate Alicia Aiken, Pursuing Justice provides a behind-the-scenes exploration of pro bono and public interest legal work. These heartening stories are told from both the clients’ and their lawyers’ perspectives to showcase intimate portraits of lawyers helping those with limited access to justice.

Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.