Pro Bono: Daring to Make a Difference

PRACTICE POINTERS

BY KATE LINCOLN-GOLDFINCH AND LINDSAY GOLDFORD GRAY

The vast need for pro bono work can only be met when attorneys are willing to step outside their comfort zone.

As the new year approaches, many attorneys think about giving back by doing pro bono work in partnership with nonprofit organizations. Here are a few practice pointers to leverage the hours you spend doing volunteer legal work:

Don’t Be Afraid to Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Don’t be afraid to try something that is outside of your practice area! The vast need for pro bono work can only be met when attorneys are willing to step outside their comfort zone, and many nonprofits have resources and support systems to set you up for success.

Be Responsive

We know that life is very busy, and things happen! You may have time to take a case when you sign up for a project, but by the time you receive your assignment, things have come up for you. It’s better to be proactive and notify the organization before they or the client have relied on you so they can work on finding another volunteer attorney.

Prepare in Advance

One of the most stressful aspects of pro bono work outside your practice area can be having a question and needing to wait on the answer. If you prepare in advance, you can avoid at least some unnecessary stress, as you are able to reach out to mentors at the partner nonprofit and wait on their guidance as needed.

Report Your Hours

You’re not the only one who benefits from calculating how many hours of time you’ve spent giving

Provide Feedback

We know that no one loves filling out surveys or sending emails with constructive feedback, but nonprofits often don’t know the most commonly faced issues of their volunteers unless you tell them! We review all feedback we receive as a team so we can provide the best experience possible for our pro bono attorneys and the clients they serve.

Take More Than One Case

Once you’ve gone off and running with one case, why not take more?! One of the best ways to leverage your time is by developing a niche area of pro bono practice. Nonprofit organizations highly value volunteers who come back time and time again because they learn not only the practice area but also the policies and procedures of their organization. AL

VECINA has volunteer opportunities to assist asylum seekers from around the globe. To learn more, visit vecina.org/news/ fom-signup/.

Lindsay Goldford Gray is the CEO of VECINA, a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and training to pro bono attorneys providing advocacy for asylum seekers, refugees, and other immigrants.

Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch is the president of the VECINA board of directors and the managing partner of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law, an immigration and bankruptcy law firm.