New “Pro Bono Opportunities Guide”

Makes It Easier to Find Meaningful Volunteer Work

To help facilitate greater lawyer participation in pro bono programs, and to provide an update on the wide range of pro bono opportunities currently available, the City Bar Justice Center, the pro bono affiliate of the New York City Bar Association, has released its new edition of “Pro Bono Opportunities: A Guide for Lawyers in New York City.”

The new guide – a mutual effort of the City Bar Justice Center, Volunteers of Legal Service, and Pro Bono Net – is the definitive reference tool for New York City attorneys who are seeking meaningful pro bono opportunities.

The Office of Court Administration said in a recent report that one of the main reasons lawyers do not participate in pro bono work is due to the difficulty in finding appropriate projects. “This new guide makes it much easier for attorneys to locate the kind of volunteer work they seek,” said City Bar President Barry Kamins . “Pro bono programs are listed under three sections: those with bar associations; legal services and public interest organizations; and court and government programs. Lawyers who do volunteer legal work have told me that it is one of the most satisfying experiences of their careers,” said Mr. Kamins.

“Pro Bono Opportunities: A Guide for Lawyers in New York City ” is a 60-page pamphlet that can be obtained by contacting the City Bar Public Service Network at (212) 382-4713; or by e-mail at cpsn@nycbar.org. It is also available on the Homepage of the NYC Bar Association’s Web site at www.nycbar.org (The printing of the pamphlet was donated by American Lawyer Media.) A link to the new Guide is provided below:

http://www.nycbar.org/CityBarFund/pdf/probono_guide07.pdf

Statewide Data Base Now Online!

In further support of this mission to help attorneys find pro bono opportunities that are right for them, the City Bar Justice Center and the New York State Bar Association have established a statewide data base and guide allowing lawyers throughout the state to locate pro bono opportunities online. Please visit: http://www.probono.net/ny/oppsguide.cfm.

About the Association
The New York City Bar Association (www.nycbar.org) was founded in 1870, and since then has been dedicated to maintaining the high ethical standards of the profession, promoting reform of the law, and providing service to the profession and the public. The Association continues to work for political, legal and social reform, while implementing innovative means to help the disadvantaged. Protecting the public’s welfare remains one of the Association’s highest priorities.

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