Spotlight on pro bono

By Peter C. Alexander

In just a few short weeks, 2008 will be upon us. That means that many of us are thinking about what New Year’s resolutions we are going to make.

If tradition is any guide, we will promise to stop smoking, to lose weight, and to clean out basements and attics in order to reduce the clutter in our lives. But New Year’s Day is also a great opportunity to make a pro bono resolution.

The popular online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, defines a resolution as “a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit...” The new year is the perfect time to commit to use our unique talents as attorneys to help those people and organizations who need us but who lack the resources to pay for legal assistance.

Currently, there are more than 34,000 attorneys in the Illinois State Bar Association. Imagine what impact we could have if everyone resolved to add one hour or one additional hour of pro bono activity each month in 2008!

There is no shortage of opportunities to get involved, particularly through the ISBA.

Currently, the ISBA Committee on Military Affairs is seeking volunteers who are willing to undergo training and to accept at least one pro bono case to help Illinois veterans obtain their disability benefits.

The Committee on Mentoring is training volunteers to become mentors to newer lawyers. The Committee on Delivery of Legal Services oversees the Illinois Lawyer Referral Service, which matches lawyers and clients to provide legal assistance at reduced rates.

Beyond the ISBA pro bono options, there are many other ways in which Illinois lawyers can volunteer time and talents. The nine Illinois law schools can always use the expertise and guidance of seasoned attorneys, particularly as consultants to the students enrolled in legal clinics.

The legal aid organizations within the State cannot possibly accept all of the clients who seek their services, and volunteer lawyers are always needed. Additionally, there are many Web sites, like http://www.illinoisprobono.org, that provide training, support and pro bono opportunities for volunteer lawyers.

Before the new year begins, think about the resolutions that you are likely to make this month. Will you really quit smoking? Do you really expect to get through the remaining winter months and actually lose weight? Probably not.

However, if you pledge to volunteer just one pro bono hour a month over your current commitment, you really can make a difference.

There are a lot of people who need your expertise, and one little resolution can have a big impact on their lives. Resolve to make pro bono a priority in 2008!

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Peter Alexander, dean of the Southern Illinois University School of Law, is a member of the ISBA Committee on Delivery of Legal Services.