Pro Bono News for December 2019
“Members of North Carolina’s legal profession are in a unique position to do what is right and good for the people of our State. Providing pro bono legal services ensures equal access to justice for all.”
– Chief Justice Cheri Beasley
It is with these words by our Chief Justice that I implore all members of the Greensboro Bar Association to participate in some pro bono service each month. Under our Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1, we have a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. All attorneys are encouraged to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono services each calendar year. As 2019 comes to a close, have you completed your hours? A great resource to find pro bono opportunities is the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center. The NC Pro Bono Resource Center not only hosts many pro bono clinics throughout the state (Driver’s License Restoration Clinics, Power of Attorney Clinics, etc.), but also compiles a database of opportunities for attorneys to provide legal services in particular subject matter or geographic location.
As we celebrated National Pro Bono Week back in October, many of our members took time that week to participate in pro bono services. Please take time to commit to a pro bono activity beyond the one week a year or even set a goal to exceed to encouraged 50 hours by our professional duty.
Manisha P. Patel, Esq., Chair of the Herb Falk Society 2018-2020
