American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education will present a webcast on “Ethical Issues in Pro Bono Representations” on Wednesday, October 15, from noon to 1 p.m.
The need for attorneys to take on pro bono clients is greater than ever. Access to justice is promised to all, yet the increasing cost of legal representation has put that access out of reach for many.
Closing that gap – by providing free or low-cost legal services – helps to protect civil rights, uphold the rule of law, and foster social equality. Law firms increasingly support their attorneys committed to pro bono service, recognizing the importance of serving the community and the opportunity to gain practical experience and develop new skills along the way.
While ethical concerns arise during the representation of all clients, legal aid and pro bono representation can present unique challenges and opportunities. Using the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, this program will focus on the practical issues that regularly arise, the Rules that apply, and strategies for successfully handling them. It will also explore how attorneys can spot potential traps and not step over the ethical line, such as ensuring competence when venturing outside of their everyday practice areas.
Webinar participants will hear from the executive director of a legal services organization, who also serves as an adjunct professor of law teaching professional responsibility, as he discusses:
• Why pro bono: Model Rule 6.1, access to justice, and well-being
• What to consider before taking a case: Competence (Rule 1.1), scope of representation (Rule 1.2), and how conflict of interest rules apply when working with legal service programs (Rule 6.5)
• How to handle the representation: Duty of diligence (Rule 1.3); safeguarding confidentiality (Rule 1.6); effective communication (Rule 1.4); working with clients with diminished capacity (Rule 1.14); and providing financial assistance (Rule 1.8(e))
• When to decline or terminate representation (Rule 1.16)
The faculty will answer questions submitted during the program. In addition, all registrants will receive a set of downloadable course materials.
Cost for the webcast is $199. To register, visit www.ali-cle.org.
The need for attorneys to take on pro bono clients is greater than ever. Access to justice is promised to all, yet the increasing cost of legal representation has put that access out of reach for many.
Closing that gap – by providing free or low-cost legal services – helps to protect civil rights, uphold the rule of law, and foster social equality. Law firms increasingly support their attorneys committed to pro bono service, recognizing the importance of serving the community and the opportunity to gain practical experience and develop new skills along the way.
While ethical concerns arise during the representation of all clients, legal aid and pro bono representation can present unique challenges and opportunities. Using the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, this program will focus on the practical issues that regularly arise, the Rules that apply, and strategies for successfully handling them. It will also explore how attorneys can spot potential traps and not step over the ethical line, such as ensuring competence when venturing outside of their everyday practice areas.
Webinar participants will hear from the executive director of a legal services organization, who also serves as an adjunct professor of law teaching professional responsibility, as he discusses:
• Why pro bono: Model Rule 6.1, access to justice, and well-being
• What to consider before taking a case: Competence (Rule 1.1), scope of representation (Rule 1.2), and how conflict of interest rules apply when working with legal service programs (Rule 6.5)
• How to handle the representation: Duty of diligence (Rule 1.3); safeguarding confidentiality (Rule 1.6); effective communication (Rule 1.4); working with clients with diminished capacity (Rule 1.14); and providing financial assistance (Rule 1.8(e))
• When to decline or terminate representation (Rule 1.16)
The faculty will answer questions submitted during the program. In addition, all registrants will receive a set of downloadable course materials.
Cost for the webcast is $199. To register, visit www.ali-cle.org.
