ACCESS TO JUSTICE SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating Access to Justice BY CAROLEENA GOLDMAN
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his year, the theme for the National Celebrate Pro Bono week is “Moving forward in a post-pandemic world.” In the past and especially this year, the need for services is incredibly important through tough economic times and to spread access to justice to poor and vulnerable populations. The Delaware State Bar Association celebrates efforts all year round, but especially highlights the work of those in our legal community during October that go above and beyond to help those in need. Prior to 2007, the Pro Bono Awards were given by Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc. (DVLS) to those attorneys who demonstrated a commitment to providing pro bono service. Later, Pro Bono Awards were broken down into three different categories: the Leadership Award, the Commitment Award, and the Achievement Award. In 2010, these awards were renamed to the Christopher W. White Distinguished Access to Justice Awards in honor of Chris White, who was a long-time attorney with Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) and a member of the Delaware State Bar Association. He worked selflessly to advocate on behalf of the impoverished, homeless, disabled, elderly, and troubled people of Delaware. As many already know, CLASI is supported by the Combined Campaign for Justice of Delaware and joins DVLS and the Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc. to give free legal services to our state’s most vulnerable residents. In 2009, DSBA joined the National Pro Bono Celebration Week to dedicate one week in October to highlight the 28
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In the past and especially this year, the need for services is incredibly important through tough economic times and to spread access to justice to poor and vulnerable populations. hard work of our Delaware attorneys, paralegals, and staff members. The National Celebrate Pro Bono Week was created to recognize the professional responsibility and individual ethical commitment that each lawyer possesses to do their part in pro bono work. In 2010, the DSBA position of Pro Bono Coordinator was created and led by Susan Simmons. She began this journey for DSBA, and I am happy to follow in her shoes as she has since retired. At the time of this position being created, the incoming DSBA President Matthew M. Greenberg, Esquire, noted: We are fortunate that Delaware lawyers have always been actively involved in pro bono efforts. The DSBA seeks to help in coordinating and identifying new opportunities for attorneys who have yet to participate. I am excited to welcome Susan who will be an excellent catalyst for the Bar’s pro bono efforts. With Susan’s help, we will be able to roll out some new pro bono programs and enhance existing programs. Part of Susan’s legacy was that she was key to the creation of the Legal Professional Pro Bono Service Award which is given to a person qualified by education, training, or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity, who performs pro bono legal work in the pursuit of Access to Justice. Unlike our other awards, this is given only as warranted not necessarily annually. On Sunday, October 24, DSBA is partnering up with DVLS for the semiannual Wills for Seniors event. The Wills for Seniors event offers at no cost, estate-planning services that include wills, advance heath care directives, and financial powers of attorney services. Volunteer attorneys are paired up with clients for an hour session where all documents are signed, witnessed, notarized, and in effect. Parcels and the DSBA Multicultural Judges and Lawyers Section are always generous sponsors of this event. Jacki Chacona of DVLS always brings together an incredible army of volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and staff members to help the day run smoothly.
