Today marks the start of the National Pro Bono Celebration, or, as it has been informally dubbed, “Pro Bono Week.” The word celebration is a bit misleading in that it is not just a time for the bar to call attention to the pro bono work it does (although that is part of it), but also to encourage lawyers to do more.
In Minnesota, the rules that govern lawyer conduct ask lawyers to aspire to do at least 50 hours of pro bono work a year. Minnesota lawyers have a long history of volunteerism, and many put significantly more time into pro bono than the recommended minimum.
With the economy down, there may be a temptation to do less pro bono, as lawyers scramble to find paying business. However, with all the cutbacks that have been made in funding to programs that provide access to justice for the poor and disadvantaged, it’s more important than ever that lawyers renew their pro bono commitment. We at the Minnesota Lawyer blog know that local lawyers are up for the challenge.
A complete list of CLE programs, events and activities pertaining to Pro Bono Week is available on the Minnesota State Bar Association website (click here for more info.)
