October is pro bono month, and October 23-29 is ABA’s pro
bono week. Vermont has incredible and
rewarding pro bono opportunities. Learn about the programs and obtain CLE credit by attending the VBA Pro
Bono Conference, October 26, 2016 at the State House in Montpelier. Click HERE
for more info on tomorrow’s conference.
There is a common misperception that pro bono means “for
free.” Pro bono actually comes from the
Latin pro bono publico meaning “for
the public good.” Lawyers, at their
core, are in the profession to help people navigate through difficult
situations, often well after the legal retainer has run dry. Continuing to fight the good fight, undoubtedly
for ‘truth, justice and the American way’ may appear to fulfill this aspiration
to provide services for the public good, but the rule is a bit more specific. Just being in a profession that exists to
help clients is not enough.
Both the ABA and Rule 6.1 of the Vermont Rules of
Professional Conduct state that every lawyer has a professional responsibility
to provide legal services to those unable to pay. It suggests that lawyers should render at
least 50 hours per year providing pro bono services, the majority of which
should be to help persons of limited means or charitable organizations that
serve those of limited means. The
majority of the 50 hours need to be without fee or expectation of fee. The rule then goes on to address other no fee
or reduced fee services, beyond the majority of the 50 hours, that could be
rendered to protect civil rights or public rights or to improve the legal
system or law.
Being in a service
profession, it seems to go without saying that Vermont lawyers will give their
time to help those in need, without pro bono hours being mandated. And they often do, even though the stated 50
hours is merely aspirational. The most
cited reason for not giving time is that it is harder to earn a living in
Vermont than elsewhere. That Vermont practice
is replete with ‘involuntary pro bono.’ While this may be true, it also follows
that a huge population of Vermonters are low income and are in dire need of
legal services. Nationally, the ABA has
found that 40% of low and moderate income households have legal problems but
that only 20% of those legal needs are being met. Legal services are needed, so why not help?
As so aptly put by Anne Frank, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” Or as often, and perhaps incorrectly,
attributed to Winston Churchill, “We
make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Countless studies have shown that giving is
more rewarding and fulfilling than receiving.
Consider volunteering at one of the following established
programs and see just how gratifying the work can be!
·
Vermont
Volunteer Lawyer Project is a statewide program matching volunteer
attorneys with low-income clients in need of help in civil legal matters. To
sign up or to request more information, contact Angele Court, VVLP Coordinator,
at (802) 863-7153.
·
Chittenden
County Small Claims Clinic is held on the first Tuesday of each month in
the District and Family Court building on Cherry Street in Burlington.
Volunteer attorneys meet with clients to review their cases and prepare them
for the upcoming hearing. The attorneys do not provide legal advice. To
volunteer, or to receive more information, contact Jeffrey Messina Esq., with
Bergeron, Paradis & Fitzpatrick, LLP by calling (802) 879-6304.
·
Chittenden
County Rent Escrow Clinic is held at least two times a month on Tuesdays
from 8:30AM until noon at Chittenden County Courthouse, 175 Main Street in
Burlington. Three attorney volunteers enter limited appearances for clients in
rent escrow hearings that morning. To volunteer, or to obtain more information,
contact Angele Court with Legal Services Law Line of Vermont at 802-863-7153.
·
County
Bar Legal Assistance Projects are low-bono projects providing stipends for
attorneys representing low income clients in foreclosure, collections and
landlord/tenant cases in civil division, in adult involuntary guardianships in
probate divisions, and in child support contempt defense in family division.
These low bono projects exist in Addison, Bennington, Rutland, Windham,
Windsor/Orange Counties, and are coming soon in Franklin/Grand Isle and
Washington Counties. For general information contact Mary Ashcroft at
mashcroft@vtbar.org or at 802-223-2020.
To sign up for the
program in your preferred country, contacts are below:
Addison County:
Sarah Star, Esq. 802-385-1023
Bennington County:
John Lamson, Esq., 802-447-8500
Orange County:
Judge Bernie Lewis at 802-728-9604
Rutland County:
Mary Ashcroft, Esq., 802-775-5189 (OVER
800 CASES TO DATE!) Windham County: Ellen Kreitmeier, Esq., 802-490-9265
Windsor/Orange Counties: Marc Nemeth, Esq. 802-763-2227
·
Caledonia
County Legal Clinic is offered on Friday afternoon every other month at the
Courthouse in St. Johnsbury. Attorney volunteers are needed to visit with
clients on a variety of issues for 20 minutes each. For more information or to
volunteer, call the court at 748-6600.
·
St.
Johnsbury Community Justice Center offers a free evening legal clinic on
the first Monday of every month, and needs volunteer attorneys to meet with each
client for 30 minutes, working from 6-8PM. For more information or to
volunteer, call Neil Favreau at (802) 748- 2977.
·
Washington
County Legal Clinic operates two Friday afternoons a month at the
Washington Family Court in Barre. Volunteer attorneys see 3-6 clients for 15
minute consultations each. Clients with all types of legal questions are
served. To volunteer, please call the Family Court at 479-4205.
The county “low bono” projects listed above
are funded by grants from the Vermont Bar Foundation.
Pro bono opportunities
exist in every county in Vermont. If not
through an established program, consider volunteering in your local probate or
family division, where the pro bono need is especially great. Fulfill Rule 6.1 and you, too, will feel
fulfilled!
