Law firms urged to apply for Pro Bono Circle of Excellence
The State Bar of Michigan invites all law firms of two or more attorneys to apply for the 2015 Pro Bono Circle of Excellence, which recognizes every firm that fully complied with the State Bar's Voluntary Pro Bono Standard during 2014.
The application deadline is April 4.
Both volunteer legal services for low-income individuals and organizations and financial support for eligible nonprofit organizations providing free civil legal aid for the poor are included in the Voluntary Pro Bono
The Pro Bono Standard calls for lawyers to annually take three pro bono cases, devote at least 30 hours of pro bono service, or make a monetary contribution to a legal aid provider
Contributions to the Access to Justice Fund count toward fulfilling the standard.
The standard asks firms that can afford to do so to make an annual financial contribution of $500.
Firms that contributed 30 hours of service and/or a $500 donation will be recognized Circle of Excellence Leadership Level contributors.
Firms that contribute $300 and/or 30 hours of service will continue to be recognized in the Circle of Excellence.
“We are extremely proud of the increased number of law firms that appeared on last year’s Circle of Excellence,” SBM President Tom Rombach said. “Fifty four firms achieved that recognition, up from the previous year’s 45 firms. We especially laud the 23 firms who achieved the new Leadership Level, and we continue to encourage firms to establish a presence on the Circle at either the original or the Leadership Level.”
The Circle of Excellence is published frequently in the Michigan Bar Journal, posted on the SBM and the Michigan State Bar Foundation websites, and is distributed at the SBM Annual meeting.
Additional information can be obtained by contacting Robert Mathis at rmathis@mail.michbar.org or 517.346.6412.
Sign up now to attend the annual SBM Spring Pro Bono Workshop
The State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Initiative will sponsor the Annual Spring Pro Bono Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 at the SBM Michael Franck Building in Lansing.
The training will help legal services providers access the tools they need to recruit pro bono attorneys and to successfully and efficiently manage pro bono programs.
Many topics will be discussed, including Future of Legal Services, ABA Pro Bono Standards, 2015 Update on Pro Bono Standards, Techniques for Recruiting Pro Bono Attorneys, Successfully Managing Your Pro Bono Program, Using Technology to Enhance Your Pro Bono Program, Planning and Preparing for Pro Bono Month.
Register to attend the Spring Pro Bono Workshop. Lunch will be provided.
For more information contact Robert Mathis at rmathis@mail.michbar.org or (517) 346-6412.
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