Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files

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.

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.

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.