Pro Bono
| Publication year | 2018 |
| Pages | 0064 |
| Citation | Vol. 23 No. 7 Pg. 0064 |
Why Pro Bono?
Reach out and lift others up and you too will be rewarded, even if it is just the self-realization that no matter how bad your day was, there are millions in this world that would rather be you.
BY BETH BOONE
With the recent retirement of Georgia Legal Services Program Executive Director Phyllis Holmen, and upcoming retirement of Brunswick GLSP's own Elouise Clinch, both true servants of the public and personal heroes, I have been more reflective on what makes some people so willing to help others. Pro bono work usually involves assisting low-income individuals with some of the most basic human necessities"”housing, education, governmental services and benefits, domestic violence protection. While some attorneys choose to volunteer with this type of work and others do not, I think we can all agree that justice and fairness for all individuals are really ideals that none of us are against, correct?
As a defense attorney, I have heard "they sue our clients" more than once as a reason to avoid doing volunteer legal work. Pro bono work generally does not involve traditional tort representation"” i.e., a personal injury case"”rather, it could be an heir property matter, an estate administration issue, assistance to a veteran, housing problems or an uncontested divorce involving no assets and domestic violence allegations. Often there is not another attorney involved. Regarding the low-income individuals who may occasionally have an issue with your client, wouldn't you rather have a represented party than a pro se plaintiff? Often resolving these matters is a win-win situation for all parties, including your client.
Time is usually the largest factor as to why more attorneys don't consider pro bono work. After all, most of us are generally working at capacity and taking another case basically means using up more of our nonexistent time. We may measure our work by the billable hour and have billable hour requirements. We also serve our communities in many volunteer capacities that consume more precious time. Attorneys frequently serve on nonprofit boards, advisory committees, homeowners associations and participate in activities for their community, their churches and their children's schools. And if you have children, add another full-time job to your life. How could I possibly take yet another case, especially one for free?
Money is another factor...
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