NATIONAL PRO BONO WEEK IS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
BY: KATHERINE S. GARDNER
We have all heard the stories about the lawyer who does wrong; we've heard the lawyer jokes which compare lawyers to sharks. But did you know that your local Saginaw County attorneys donate hundreds of hours every year providing free legal services to those in need? October 23 - 29, 2011 is National Pro Bono week, and is a chance to say "thank you" to those attorneys who donate their time and expertise to individuals in need of legal assistance.
The Saginaw County Bar Association has a very strong Pro Bono program which provides free legal information in a variety of ways. Local attorneys volunteer at low-income clinics sponsored by Legal Aid of Eastern Michigan which are held on a regular basis. The Pro Bono program also sponsors free informational seminars on a variety of topics ranging from employment issues, to drivers license restoration, to probate and estate issues. These seminars are held throughout the year and are generally held in the public libraries throughout the county. The Bar Association has sponsored several "Ask a Lawyer" panels this year, in which a panel of attorneys are present and the public is invited to come and ask general legal questions and receive on-the-spot answers. As Chairperson of the Pro Bono Committee, I can tell you that our Saginaw County attorneys are eager to participate in these pro bono activities, and in fact, often volunteer to participate or present seminars on various topics before they are asked.
In fact, there are 120 attorney members of the Saginaw County Bar Association who provided pro bono services in the past year, donating over 1,000 documented hours of service in this county. I am sure that there are also many other undocumented hours of pro bono service that go unrecognized.
Access to justice is a fundamental and essential right in a democratic society. Our pro bono attorneys work to try to ensure that citizens of this county are not denied access to legal advice or legal representation because of their ability to pay. So please help us in celebrating National Pro Bono week, and help us thank those attorneys who provide pro bono services throughout the year!
We have all heard the stories about the lawyer who does wrong; we've heard the lawyer jokes which compare lawyers to sharks. But did you know that your local Saginaw County attorneys donate hundreds of hours every year providing free legal services to those in need? October 23 - 29, 2011 is National Pro Bono week, and is a chance to say "thank you" to those attorneys who donate their time and expertise to individuals in need of legal assistance.
The Saginaw County Bar Association has a very strong Pro Bono program which provides free legal information in a variety of ways. Local attorneys volunteer at low-income clinics sponsored by Legal Aid of Eastern Michigan which are held on a regular basis. The Pro Bono program also sponsors free informational seminars on a variety of topics ranging from employment issues, to drivers license restoration, to probate and estate issues. These seminars are held throughout the year and are generally held in the public libraries throughout the county. The Bar Association has sponsored several "Ask a Lawyer" panels this year, in which a panel of attorneys are present and the public is invited to come and ask general legal questions and receive on-the-spot answers. As Chairperson of the Pro Bono Committee, I can tell you that our Saginaw County attorneys are eager to participate in these pro bono activities, and in fact, often volunteer to participate or present seminars on various topics before they are asked.
In fact, there are 120 attorney members of the Saginaw County Bar Association who provided pro bono services in the past year, donating over 1,000 documented hours of service in this county. I am sure that there are also many other undocumented hours of pro bono service that go unrecognized.
Access to justice is a fundamental and essential right in a democratic society. Our pro bono attorneys work to try to ensure that citizens of this county are not denied access to legal advice or legal representation because of their ability to pay. So please help us in celebrating National Pro Bono week, and help us thank those attorneys who provide pro bono services throughout the year!
