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Pro Bono Attorney Involvement. Ideas for Training and Engaging Pro Bono Attorneys on Your Issue. Limited attorney staff Significant legal needs Lack of training in this area of law Nature of the work was well-suited for shorter-term pro bono commitments National support and resources
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Pro Bono Attorney Involvement Ideas for Training and Engaging Pro Bono Attorneys on Your Issue
Limited attorney staff • Significant legal needs • Lack of training in this area of law • Nature of the work was well-suited for shorter-term pro bono commitments • National support and resources • Engaged key attorneys in the community on our issue Why ICAIT Chose to Focus on Pro Bono Attorneys
Find partners • Choose speakers • Find helpful resources and handouts • Develop your training agenda • Get CLE credit • Develop a pro bono pledge • Market the training • Determine how you will connect potential clients with pro bono attorneys Prep Work
If possible, have the CLE session recorded • Make sure all attendees sign and turn in their pledges • Leave plenty of time for questions • Give a specific contact person for follow-up questions • Explain how the client referral process will work • Specifically explain what type of work they can expect to do on these cases • Hand out a survey • Follow up via email to provide additional support and materials after the CLE and to specifically address any questions or concerns raised on the survey responses During and After Your CLE
Problems • Post-training, attorneys still don’t feel comfortable taking a case on their own • Not enough client referrals in the weeks following your CLE • Lack of interest, low registration for the CLE Solutions • Mentor(s); clinic, discussion board or listserv; follow-up CLE • Start promoting the availability of pro bono attorneys and doing client intakes in the months leading up to the training • Consider adding an ethics component, provide lunch, try to get a local judge as a presenter Bumps in the Road
If available, provide other supportive services to your pro bono attorneys • Recognize their work • Make them see their role as part of a larger initiative • Don’t forget to reach out to law students and retired attorneys too! Some General Tips
Questions? Sunrise AyersIdaho Legal Aid Servicessunriseayers@idaholegalaid.org208-345-0106