ABA 2022 Celebration of Pro Bono focuses on law in everyday life

Lawyers and law firms across the country are participating in volunteer events as part of the National Celebration of Pro Bono, which runs October 23-29. This year, American Bar Association President Deborah Enix-Ross is highlighting the theme “Law in Everyday Life” and will focus attention on the ways in which access to legal assistance affects historically excluded and low-income individuals across the country in all aspects of life.

“Every year the ABA mobilizes lawyers throughout the country to provide services during the National Celebration of Pro Bono as part of our long-term commitment to furthering access to justice,” Enix-Ross said. “The need for legal services is ever-growing, and lawyers have a responsibility to help provide that assistance. Together we make a difference as we recognize the impact that pro bono help has to those in need.”

The National Celebration of Pro Bono began in 2009 to showcase the difference that pro bono lawyers can make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and most of all to the clients they serve. In the 13 years since, more than 12,000 events have taken place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Recently, the national celebration has focused on specific themes, including service to victims of domestic violence, veterans, homeless youth and disaster resiliency.

Among the law-in-everyday-life events during the National Celebration of Pro Bono are:

• The ABA Tax Law Section on October 24-27 is holding a Virtual Settlement Week, in which volunteer attorneys are matched with unrepresented taxpayers to meet and discuss settlement with the IRS Chief Counsel attorney assigned to the case.

• In Indianapolis on October 25, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister is hosting an Afghan asylum pro bono roundtable with the National Immigrant Justice Center to share best practices, challenges and ideas.

• In Daytona Beach, Florida, on October 26, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida is holding a Pro Bono Walk-in Clinic.

• In Boston on October 26, the Boston Bar Association and Project Citizenship will hold a workshop to help pre-screened applicants complete or review their applications for naturalization.

• In Tucson, Arizona, on October 27, lawyers from Mesch Clark & Rothschild are partnering with Step Up to Justice to host an all-day clinic.

• In Jackson, Mississippi, on October 27, Bradley law firm will join Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project for a hybrid “Clear the Queue” Legal Clinic.

Also held during the Celebration of Pro Bono is ABA Giving Day on Thursday, October 27. Organized by the ABA Fund for Justice and Education, Giving Day raises attention and support for 16 areas of the ABA that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education programs.