Access to Justice Pro Bono Manual 2022-23

AJP's 2022-23

PRO BONO MANUAL

a quick guide to pro bono at IU Maurer School of Law

Pro bono service is a cornerstone of the legal profession. So much so that Model Rule 6.1 was crafted to give lawyers a duty to render legal services for those unable to pay, and The American Bar Association encourages members to perform 50 hours of pro bono service per year. Maurer has adopted a 60-hour aspirational goal for all students during their enrollment in the J.D. program. New York has made 50 hours of pro bono a requirement for admission to its bar so therefore this pro bono manual is a great guide to how you can achieve that here at Maurer.

While in law school, you will make many hard decisions about time allocation. When deciding what to cut and what to keep pro bono service is a great choice, as it gives back more than the time it takes. Pro bono service enables you to:

Deepen your understanding of legal doctrine and procedure

Develop professional skills, values, and traits

Connect with your community and other practitioners

Serve clients who have difficulty accessing justice

Increase marketability for jobs

Enhance your reputation

Explore career paths and opportunities

These areas of growth are important for any lawyer to develop in law school. This is why the Access to Justice Pro Bono Program (AJP) was created, and why we put together this book to help law students navigate pro bono opportunities at Maurer School of Law.

WhatisProBono? ABARule6.1

Everylawyerhasaprofessionalresponsibilitytoprovidelegalservicestothoseunabletopay.Alawyershould aspiretorenderatleast(50)hoursofprobonopublicolegalservicesperyear.Infulfillingthisresponsibility,the lawyershould:

provideasubstantialmajorityofthe(50)hoursoflegalserviceswithoutfeeorexpectationoffeeto: personsoflimitedmeansor charitable,religious,civic,community,governmentalandeducationalorganizationsinmatterswhichare designedprimarilytoaddresstheneedsofpersonsoflimitedmeans;and provideanyadditionalservicesthrough: deliveryoflegalservicesatnofeeorsubstantiallyreducedfeetoindividuals,groupsororganizations seekingtosecureorprotectcivilrights,civillibertiesorpublicrights,orcharitable,religious,civic, community,governmentalandeducationalorganizationsinmattersinfurtheranceoftheirorganizational purposes,wherethepaymentofstandardlegalfeeswouldsignificantlydepletetheorganization's economicresourcesorwouldbeotherwiseinappropriate; deliveryoflegalservicesatasubstantiallyreducedfeetopersonsoflimitedmeans;or participationinactivitiesforimprovingthelaw,thelegalsystemorthelegalprofession.

WhoWeAre

AJP raises awareness about pro bono opportunities at IU Maurer and beyond. Our aim is to promote service to others in the legal profession. What does this mean? We aid pro bono organizations by providing trainings, coordination for events, publicity for pro bono organizations, and hour tracking services.Wealsorecognizestudentachievementandinvestinnewopportunities.

The 2023-2023 Pro Bono Fellows are Andrew Parra (2L) and Beka Schwartz (2L). You can reach them at wedogood@indiana.edu.TheAJPProBonoFellowshipisfundedbyFaegreDrinkerBiddle&Reath.

BekaSchwartz 2LFellow

AndrewParra

2LFellow

WhatWeDo

AJPhostsseveral eventsduringtheacademicyear.BelowisalistofthemaineventsAJPorganizes,but beonthelook-outfornewevents.

TheProBonoCall-OutMeeting

Eachyearatthebeginningofthefallsemester,thestudent-runprobonoprogramsandanumberof communitypartnerscometogethertoexplaintheirworkandsolicitlawstudentvolunteerstothe studentbody.ThisisagreatopportunityforMaurerstudentstoexplorediverseprobonoopportunities.

EthicsTraining

Beforestartingprobonowork,allstudentsmustcompletethemandatoryethicstrainingorganizedby AJP.Theethicstrainingismeanttoprovidestudentsimportanttoolsfordealingwithcommonethical issues.Theonlineethicstrainingisofferedeachyearduringfallorientation.Ifyoumissedthistraining atorientation,contactAJPatwedogood@indiana.eduforinstructionsonhowtojoinourCanvaspage andcompletethetraining.

ProBonoRecognitionCeremony

Eachfall,AJPandtheDean'sOfficehonorsthestudentsfromeachclasswhohavereportedthemostpro bonohoursatanannuallunch.Wealsocelebrateacommunitypartnerandinviteaspeakerfromthe probonocommunity.

Opportunities

ProbonoopportunitiesatMaurerarehostedbystudentorganizations(called“projects”)andcommunity partners.Studentsarealsoabletoparticipateinopportunitiestheyfindthemselves.Projectsare generallylesstimeintensiveandaredesignedaroundlawstudentschedules.Pleasenote:notallofthe opportunitiesatMaurercountasprobonofortheNewYorkBarsobesuretousethisguidetomakesure youmeettherequirements.MoreinformationaboutNewYorkisprovidedinthefollowingsection.Below isalistofsomeoftheprojectshostedbystudentorganizations:

IncarceratedIndividualLegalAssistanceProject(ILAP)

ILAPprovidesresearchtoclientswhoareincarceratedatthefederalcorrectionalcenterinTerreHaute, INandotherprisonsacrossIndianawithawiderangeoflegalissues,fromfillingoutpaperworktofiling federalhabeaspetitions.Mostclientrequestscomebymail.ILAPalsomakesanumberofvisitstothe correctionalcenter tomeetwithclientsinperson. Contact:ilap@indiana.edu

Time Commitment:Studentsmustrespondto oneletterperyear.Thelevelofinvolvementastudenthas withILAPisflexible.

OpportunitiesContinued

LGBT+Project("TheProject")

TheLGBT+Project("TheProject")providesprobonolegalresearchandadvocacyservicestoIndiana LGBTG+organizationsandLGBTQ+Hoosiers.TheProjectengageslawstudents,attorneys,scholars,and LGBTadvocatestoaddresstheunmetlegalneedsoftheLGBTQ+community.

Contact:lgbtpro@iu.edu

TimeCommitment:Monthlyavailabilityforall-membermeetings.Participationinatleastoneofeach semester’sresearchprojectsorpresentations.StudentsneednotidentifyasLGBTQ+ tojoin.

OutreachforLegalLiteracy(OLL)

OLLsendslawstudentstolocalBloomingtonschoolstoteachthebasicsoftheAmericanConstitution andlegalsystemin5thgradeclassrooms.Lawstudentsbeginbyteachingcivicsinthefallsemesterand progresstotortlawoverthecourseoftheyear.Theprogramgenerallyculminatesinamocktrialforeach participating5thgradeclassattheendofspringsemester.

Contact:ollexecboard@gmail.com

TimeCommitment:OLLisayear-longcommitment.Volunteersmustpassabackgroundcheckand completeanhour-longmandatorytrainingsessionbeforebeginninglessonsintheschools.Volunteers areexpectedtoteach10-12hour-longlessonsperyear,5-6inthefallsemesterand6-7inthespring semester,withanestimateof25-30hourstotaltimeoverthecourseoftheyear.

OpportunitiesContinued

ProtectiveOrderProject(POP)

POPhelpsvictimsofintimatepartnerviolence,sexualassault,andstalkingobtaincivilprotectiveorders.

POPstrivestopreventfurtherabusebybothrestrainingtheabuserandempoweringthevictim.

Contact:POP@indiana.edu

TimeCommitment:Attendtrainingandcomplete5hoursofservicepersemester.

IUWillsandAdvancedDirectivesProgram

StudentparticipantsoftheWillsandAdvancedDirectivesProgramdraftestateplanningdocumentsfor eligibleIndianaUniversityemployees,parentsofemployees,students,parentsofstudents,andretirees.

InterestForm:https://vpgc.iu.edu/our-services/wills-program.html

OpportunitiesContinued

The

InternationalLawSociety’sLawyersWithoutBordersStudentDivision

Thisprojectallowsstudentstoengagewithaninternationalnon-profitwhiledoingpublicinternational legalresearch.Thisisagreatopportunityforstudentsinterestedininternationallaw.Commonresearch topicsincludegender-basedviolence,wildlifecrime,andterrorism.

Contact:lwob@iu.edu

Estimateofhours:Flexible

CommunityJusticeandMediationCenter(CJAM)

Studentswillusemediation,restorativejustice,andeducationtoprovidelegalservicesfortheunderservedandvulnerable.

Contact: greeneba@indiana.edu

OpportunitiesContinued

VolunteerIncomeTaxAssistanceProject(VITA)

TheIndianaUniversityIRSVITAprogramoffersfreetaxpreparationservicesinthespring semestertoqualifyinglow-incometaxpayers.Eachyear,itisourprivilegetohelphundredsoflowincomeBloomingtonresidentsandnonresidentstudentsfiletaxreturnswiththefederal government,thestateofIndiana,andmanyotherstates.

Contact:amy@monroeunitedway.org

WhatCountsasProBono?

IfyouplantositfortheNewYorkBar,youmustcomplete50hoursofprobonoworkandproperlytrack thosehours.NotallprobonohourstheschoolcountsasprobonocountforNewYork.Belowisachart ofwhatqualifiesasprobonohoursatMaurerandforadmissiontotheNewYorkbar.IMPORTANT: MaurerfollowsABAModelRule6.1foritsdefinitionofprobono.ForMaurer,probonoactivitiescannot bepaid.Someofthefollowingarefrequentlydoneforpayorcredit,andunderthosecircumstancesthe hourscannotbecountedasprobonohoursforMaurer.Ifyouarereceivingacademiccredit,onlyhours above52hourspercreditareprobono.Asaresult,someofthecategorieshaveancheckmarkand an asterisk.

What WorkisProBono?Continued

Activity

IndianaLegalServices

Maurer? NewYorkBar?

SLS

Clerkingforajudge

CommunityLegalClinic

ConservationLawClinic

ElmoreEntrepreneurshipClinic

IndependentClinicalProject

IntellectualPropertyClinic

Non-ProfitLegalClinic

ViolaJ.TaliaferroFamilyand ChildrenMediationClinic

FrequentlyAskedQuestions

CanIlogmyunpaidinternshiphoursasprobonoifIreceiveastipend?

Youmaylogyourhoursifyoureceivedastipendthatpaidfederalminimumwage($7.25)or below.Forexample,ifyourstipendis$2,900fora40-hr-per-week,10-weekinternship,then youwouldbeabletologallthehoursbecausethisamountsto$7.25perhour. Ifyour stipendamountstomorethan$7.25perhour,thenyouwillnotbeabletologthosehoursas probono.

CanIlogmyunpaidinternship/clinichoursifIamgettingacademiccredit?

You mustmeetthehourrequirementforeachcreditbeforeyoucanlogthemasprobono.

So,ifyouareearning1academiccreditforyoursummerjob,youcanloganyqualifying hoursasprobonoafteryouwork52hoursintheposition.

DoallhoursIworkatmyunpaidinternship/cliniccountfortrackingpurposes?

Alternatively,doestrainingforaprobonoprojectcountasprobonohours?

Generally,yes.Whenyouare'ontheclock'foryourjob,youcancountyourhours.Ifthe trainingisspecificallyforthelegalservicesyouwillprovide,then,forMaurer,yes.However, this maynotbetrueforNewYorkBarpurposes.

FrequentlyAskedQuestionsContinued

Doesanyunpaidinternshipcountforprobonohours?

No;probonoisforworkinfurtheranceofthepublicgood,whichistypicallywithinthe publicinterestfieldorgovernment.SeeABAModelRule6.1andthenextpageformore information.

CanAJPcertifymyNewYorkBarprobonohours?

Unfortunately,AJPisunabletocertifyyourNewYorkBarhours.Toensureyourhoursare properlyrecorded,youshouldrecordyourhoursseparatelyfromourdatabaseandget signaturesfromyoursupervisingattorneyforallhoursworked.Ifyouarefindingthe processconfusing,AJPishappytohelp.Justemailusatwedogood@iu.edu.

Iforgottorecordmyfallhoursandmissedthedeadline.Isittoolatetorecordmyhours?

Ourportalaccommodateslatehours.Thedeadlinesforhoursaremostlyforthepurposeof awards.Ifyouwanttoensureyouarerecognizedforallofyourwork,trytomeetthe deadline.Butalwaysrecordyourhours,evenifyouarerecordingthemlate!

FrequentlyAskedQuestionsContinued

Whatstateshavemandatoryprobonohoursforbaradmission?Whataretheirhourrequirements?

NewYorkistheonlystatewithmandatoryprobonohours.NewYorkrequiresfiftyhoursofprobonoto applytothebar.TheNewYorkBarhasseparateprobonorequirements.Adetailedexplanationof those requirementscanbefoundat:http://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/201807/FAQsBarAdmission_0.pdf.

Qualifyingprobonoworkgenerallyfallsintothreecategories:(1)workperformedintheserviceoflowincomeordisadvantagedindividualswhoseunmetlegalneedspreventtheiraccesstojustice,(2)work involvinglegalskillsforanon-profitorganization,and(3)theuseoflegalskillsforthecourtsystem, legislativebodies,orothergovernmentagencies.

Someexamplesofqualifyingworkare:

Lawschoolsponsoredclinicsprovidinglegalservicestothosewhocannotaffordrepresentation Externshipsthatfitintoanyofthethreeabovecategories

Law-relatedworkforanon-profitthatprovideslegalservicesorotherwisepromotesaccesstojustice fordisadvantagedgroups

Law-relatedworkorlegalresearchforaninternationalnon-profitorforeigngovernmentwiththe goalsofeconomicdevelopment

OtherlegalservicesdonethatweresupervisedaccordingtoNewYork’sprovisions

TrackingHours

Whetheryourgoalistoreceiverecognitionatgraduation,AJPawards,personalsatisfaction,orto applyfortheNewYorkbar,trackinghoursisanessentialcomponentofyourprobonoexperience. Withouttrackingyourhours,youwon’treceivethefullbenefitofanyofthegoalsabove.Additionally, probonoprojectsbenefitwhenstudentslogtheirhours;theycanquantifytheirimpact!

Manystudentspostponerecordingtheirhours,andthisleadstoheadachesastheytrytotallyupall oftheirhoursattheendoftheyearorworse–attheendoftheirlawschoolcareer.

ForMaurerrecognitionpurposes,andtoassistwithstudents'ownrecordkeeping,AJPoffersstudents atimetrackingprogram.

StudentsapplyingfortheNewYorkBar:Aspartofyourbarapplication,youarerequiredtocomplete anaffidavit form,includingcertificationbyyourattorneysupervisor,forthequalifyingprobono project(s)thatyoudo.Ifyouusemorethanoneprojecttomakeupthe50hours,youwillneedtofile anaffidavitforeachproject.Itismucheasiertocompletetheform(s)--especiallythesupervisor certification-- atthetimeyoudotheprobonowork.AJPcannotcertifyNewYorkBarhours,but studentscanuseTickSpotasageneraltrackingtool.

TrackingHoursContinued

IU Maurer uses the app, Tick Spot, to track hours. You will be invited to Maurer's TickSpot page after you complete your mandatory ethics training. You will receive an email from TickSpot with instructions on how to sign up; please do this as soon as you receive the email (it expires). You will create an account to input your pro bono hours, to check the number of hours you have worked, and to track your pro bono project hours through an imbedded timer.

Follow the images below to see how you should track your hours. Note, each class, LLMs, and graduate students will have their own "Project." Make sure you use the drop down menu and select the correct project (e.g., Class of 2022 Pro Bono Hours).

TrackingHoursContinued

You can check the hours you have previously logged and view your activity by day or week.

For your convenience, Tick Spot tracks the projects you frequently use. If you click on any project under "Recently Used", a timecard will be automatically prepared for the chosen project.

TrackingHoursContinued

Tick Spot has a timer that can be used to track your hours as you are performing them. If you want to use this function, enter in the "Project" (your class year) and "Task" (pro bono activity) and hit the timer.

Onceyouhitstartonthetimer,TickSpotwillbegintrackingyourhours.Hit"EnterTime"whenyou arefinished,andatimecardwillbegeneratedforthehoursyouworked.

TrackingHoursContinued

TickSpotrequireshoursbeinputintospecificdays.Whileitisbestpracticetokeeptrackoftheexact daysyouaredoingyourprobonowork,weunderstandtherewillbetimeswhereyoucannotremember whatdayyoucompletedyourhours.Ifyouneedtorecordhoursandyoudonotknowtheday(s)that youcompletedthehourson,ensurethehoursarerecordedinaccordancewiththesemesterorsummer inwhichtheywerecompleted.Belowisaguidetorecordingtohourswithunknowndates.

Fall

Forhourscompletedinthefall,loghoursbetween9/1and12/15.

Spring

Forhourscompletedinthespring,loghoursbetween1/20and5/1.

Summer

Forhourscompletedinthesummer,loghoursbetween6/1and8/20.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsonreportingyourhours,pleasecontactusatwedogood@indiana.edu

ReportingHours

Attheendofyour2Land3Lyear(oranequivalentwhenLLM/SJD),youwillbeaskedtocomplete QualtricssurveyandinputyourtotalTickSpothours. Althoughweareabidingbythehonorsystem withthisprocess,wewillbeauditingtheQualtricsreportsandcomparingselectreportstotheir respectiveTickSpotaccounttoensureaccuratereporting.TheQualtricslinkwillbedistributedviaOSA, email,flyers, ILA,andtheAJPLinkTree.

Inordertofindyour totalhours,followthesesteps:

Step1:Log-intoyourTickSpotaccount.

Step2:Atthetopofthescreen,click“Reporting”

ReportingHoursCont.

Step3:Select“RunaCustomReport”

Step4:Selectacustomdaterange(anydatebeforeyoustartedschooltotoday’sdate)

ReportingHoursCont.

Step5:Besurethatyouhaveselected“AllClients”

Step6:Selectyourname.

Step7:Click“UpdateReport”

ReportingHoursCont.

Step8:Findyourtotalhourslistedunder“TimeEntered:Totals”

Step9:ReportyourtotalhoursintheAJPQualtrics!

ProBonoAwards

JDstudentswhoreports60hoursofprobonoduringtheirtimeatMaurerwillberecognizedat graduation.Maurerwillalsorecognizestudentswhoreport250hoursand500hours. Studentswhoare atMaurerforlessthanthreeyearswillberecognizediftheylogaproportionatenumberofhours.For example,anLLMstudentatMaurerforoneyearwillberecognizediftheylog20hours. Andfinally,the graduatingstudentwhocompletedthemostprobonohourswillreceiveaspecialawardatgraduation!

Additionally,everyyearAJPhonorsthestudentfromeachreturning2Land3Lclasswhocompletedthe mosthoursduringthepreviousacademicyearandthestudentwhocompletedthemosthoursoverthe previoussummeratanawardlunch.

Finally,AJPisgoingtorewardthe2L(classof2024)whohasloggedthemosthourssofarintheir MaurercareerwithafreebarprepcoursefromKaplan!The2LwiththemosthoursbyApril1,2023will earnthisrewardasawaytorecognizethehard,unpaidworkthattheyhavedone.

Ethics Overview

Duringlawschool,studentsareoftenfullyimmersedinstudiesandremovedfromclientsandfromthe realitiesofengagingwithpeoplewhilepracticinglaw.Probonoisauniqueopportunitytobreakaway fromtextbooksandgainclient-centeredskills.However,asUncleBenoncesaid,"Withgreatpower comesgreatresponsibility."StudentsatMaurerthereforemustattendanethicstrainingbeforethey beginprobonowork.Thetrainingcoversthemostimportantandtypicalethicaldilemmasthat studentsencounterwhileworkingwithprobonoclients.TheEthicsTrainingdatecanbefoundonthe Maurereventscalendar,intheILA,andwillbeannouncedattheProBonoCallOut.

Foryourconvenience,thisbookexploressomecommonethicaldilemmasandprovidesanapproachto resolvingthem.Witheachethicaldilemma,thereisoftennosimpleanswer.Ataminimum,checkthe rulesofprofessionalconductforthejurisdictioninwhichyouareworkingandwithyoursupervisoror anethicsexpertatthelawschool.Whenindoubt,startwiththeABA’sModelRules,foundat: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_profe ssional_conduct/model_rules_of_professional_conduct_table_of_contents/.

Asyourcareeradvances,youwillfurtherdevelopyourownethicalandprofessionalcompass.Please note,thecommonethicaldilemmasonthenextpagearenotareplacementfortheethicstraining.

EthicsContinued

CommonEthicalDilemmas:TheQuestions

Toanswerthesequestions,firstidentifythecoreethicaldilemma(conflictofinterest,etc)Next,spend timethinkingaboutwhatyouwoulddointhissituation.Finally,compareyouranswertotheanswer provided.Aretheydifferent?

1.AclientwithPOPasksyouduringanintakewhethertheyalsocansuealocalbusinessfornot shovelingthesidewalkinfrontofthebusinessafteramajorsnowstorm.Theclientsaysthatshe slippedandfellontheicysidewalk.YouhavestudiednegligenceinTortsandreceivedanAinthe course.Whatcanyoutelltheclient?

2.Client1comesintotheCounselintheCourtwalk-infamilylawclinic.Client1signsaconsentthat indicatestheclinicdoesnotdoconflictofinterestchecksanddoesnotprovidefullrepresentationdue tothelimitedservicesitprovides.Client1wantsinformationaboutIndianalawonmovingoutofstate withachildforwhomClient1hasprimaryphysicalcustody.YouinformClient1ofthelaw (howtoget permission)withoutofferinglegaladvice.Thenextweek,Client2comesintotheclinictoaskhowto stopacustodialparentfromleavingthestatewithachild.Client2identifiesClient1astheother parent.Sinceyouarenotrepresentingeitherclientorgivingthemlegaladvice,canyouseeClient2 eventhoughyoususpecttheyaretheotherparenttoClient1'schild?

CommonEthicalDilemmas:TheQuestionsContinued

3.OverThanksgivingbreak,yourgrandparentsaskyouwhatkindofworkyoudoinlawschool.They askyoutotellthemaboutwhatyoudoforyourprobonoclientsandwhetherthere'sanyoneclient whoseproblemwasparticularlyinteresting.Howmuchdetailcanyougivethem?

4.YouarehelpingaclientwithaprotectiveorderattheProtectiveOrderProject.Youandtheclient connectwell,andshetellsyouthatshedoesn’twanttospeaktootherlawstudentsbecausesheis comfortableonlywithyou.Sheasksforyourpersonalcellphonenumberandyouremailsoshecan contactyouifsheneedsto.Shouldyougiveheryournumber?Whatshouldyoutellheraboutmeeting withotherstudents?

5.Youareworkingattheexpungementdeskwhenaclientcomesinseekinghelpwithan expungement.HetellsyouheislookingforwardtogettinghisDUIexpungedsothathecangetinto Maurernextyearandstartlifeasalawstudent.Whenhefindsoutyou’reaMaurerstudent,heasks younottodisclosehisDUItotheDeanofStudents.Howshouldyourespond?

CommonEthicalDilemmas:TheAnswers

1.Thecoreissueisunauthorizedpracticeoflaw.Youarenotanattorneyandcannotgiveadviceabout theclient'slegaloptions.

2.Thecoreissueisconflictofinterest,inthescopeofalimitedrepresentationcourt-basedproject.The consentthatCITCclientssignispremisedonacourtclinic'slesserabilitytocheckforconflicts (increasinglylessanissuegivencloud-baseddatabases).Here,youknowthatyoupersonally(noteven someoneelseintheCITCprogram)hasspokenwithClient1.Assumingthattheinformedconsentto limitedrepresentationandwaiverofconflictofinterestisvalid(andbothClients1and2havesignedit), thenyoumayinfacttellClient2whatthelawrequires.Regardlessofthe"may,"however,ifyouarenot surewhetheryoucanappropriatelytalktoClient2(willyoufindyourselfreactingtoClient2'sstoryin lightofwhatClient1toldyou?willyoubetemptedtorevealinformationfromClient1toClient2?),then youshouldtalktoyoursupervisoraboutthesituation.Mostlikely,thesupervisorwillfindadifferent volunteer,whodoesnotactuallyhaveaccesstoClient1'sinformation,totalktoClient2.

3.Thecoreissueisconfidentiality.Youarenotpermittedtodiscloseinformationaboutaclienttoothers. Youmightbetemptedtodiscloseinformationtoyourgrandparents,believingtheyareunlikelytofigure outaclient'sidentity.Itisbetternottodothateither.Instead,youmaygenerallyidentifythekindsof workyoudo(assistingwithfamilylawissues,draftingpetitionsforordersofprotection,etc.)

EthicsContinued

CommonEthicalDilemmas:TheAnswersContinued

4.Thecoreissueisthescopeofrepresentation,includingtheroleofthelawyer.Here,youneedto understandthewaythatPOPoperatesandtheconsequencestotheclient,you,andPOPifyouaccedeto theclient'srequest.BecausePOPreliesonmanyvolunteerstoserveclients,itdoesnotnecessarilyassign onevolunteertoaclient;itisnotyourplacetochangetheirpolicy.Inaddition,itisusuallynotagood ideaforavolunteertogiveoutpersonalcontactinformationtoaclient.Thinkabouttheconsequences: willyoutaketheclient'scall24/7?Doesyourvoicemailmessagesoundprofessional?Ifyougiveoutyour personalcontactinfo,whatfurtherrequestsmighttheclientmakeofyouandwheredoyoustophelping her?So,telltheclientthatyouappreciateyourcomfortwithyouandthatyoumayworkwithheragain, butthatPOP'spolicyisthatwhoeverisstaffingthephoneistheonewhoassiststhecaller,andthateach volunteeristrainedandsupervised,asyouhavebeen.YOumightalsoassuretheclientthatyouwill leavedetailednotesinthefileforwhichevervolunteermightcontacthernext.

5.Thecoreissueisconfidentiality.Youmaynotdiscloseinformationtoathirdpartyexceptwithconsent oftheclientorotherlimitedexceptions.Here,theclientisexpresslyprohibitingyoufromdisclosing informationtoathirdparty.Youmayanswerthat,withafewexceptions,allinformationfromtheclient relatingtotheexpungementmatterisconfidential,andcurrentlyyouseenoapplicableexception.You might,however,informtheclientthatnoteveryexpungementlawprotectsadefendantwhoserecordhas beenexpungedfromdisclosuretoaschoolortoalicensingentityandthat,inthelegalprofession, inconsistenciesbetweendisclosurestoalicensingentityandalawschool,cancausecharacterand fitnessproblemsforabarapplicant.Youcouldtheninformtheclientthat,onceinlawschool,theclient mightfinditusefultotalktothedeanofstudentsatthelawschoolaboutthesituation.

BestPractices

Inadditiontobeingmindfulaboutethics,itisimportanttobemindfulofotherbestpracticeswhen doingprobono.Someofthesemayseemlikecommonsense,butitiseasytooverlookthesimple things.Herearesomeofthebestpracticeswhendoingprobonoprojects.

1. Beontime:Punctualityiskey.Whilelifeisbusyandslipupshappen,youshouldstrivetoarrive tenminutesbeforeanyengagement.Thisisespeciallytruewhenyouhaveclientswhowillbewaiting foryoutoarrive.

2. Beempathetic:Youwillbedealingwithclientswhoarefacingprisonsentences,aresurvivorsof abuse,oraredealingwithanotherdifficultexperience.Evenwithaprojectthatappearstobefreeof emotionallychargeddilemmas,likeOLL,yourclientsareoftenstillnewtothelegalsystemandcan finditintimidating.Listenandrespondtotheemotionalcontentoftheirstories.Youcananticipate situationsandpracticeresponsesthatwillshowtheclientsthatyouhearalltheyaresharing,notjust thewords.Rememberthatempathyisnotpity:clientswantyoutounderstandhow,why,andwhat withoutyourfeelingsorryforthem.Ahelpfulresourceis:

https://www.psycholawlogy.com/2012/11/25/emotional-intelligence-lawyers-and-empathyusing-thepower-of-listening-with-care-to-build-better-professional-relationships-and-satisfy-clients/

BestPracticesContinued

3. Beknowledgeable:ThisrequiresmorethangettinganA*incriminallaw.Tobeknowledgeable, youshouldbecomefamiliarwiththesubjectyouaregoingtobeworkinginsubstantively, procedurally,andpractically.Learningtobecomeadeptatspeakingthelanguageofyourclientswill benefityourcareergreatly.Listentopodcasts,readabook,watchthenews.Relyontheexpertiseof fellowstudentsleadingyourprobonoorganization,orbetteryet,yoursupervisingattorney.Being knowledgeableaboutyourclient’sworldandtheissuesimpactingthemwillmakeyouamuchbetter advocate.

4.Besensitivetoculture:Eachencounterwithaclientinvolvestheinteractionoftwouniquecultural identities,yoursandtheclient's.Theseidentitiesarenotmonolithicoronedimensionalbut encompasstheinterplayoffactorssuchascountryoforigin,ethnicity,sex,gender,sexualorientation, age,(dis)ability,socioeconomicclass,faith/spirituality,andpoliticalidentity.Youshouldstriveto respondtoaclientasawholehumanbeingandtobeawareofhowyourassumptionsaboutanyaspect oftheclient'sidentitymightaffectyourinteraction.Rememberingthatyouhaveassumptionswillhelp tocheckthem,andaskingtheclienthowbesttoworkwiththemwillassistindevelopingaculturally informedrelationship.Ifyoumakeamistake,apologize.

BestPracticesContinued

5. Biteoffonlywhatyoucanchew:Itiseasytobecomeimpassionedandoverlooktherealityofwhat youcantakeon.Thisisacommonmistake,but,intheend, ithasnegativeeffectsonyouandyour clients.Assesswhatyoucantakeonpriortosigningupforhours.Assessyourobligations,both personalandprofessional.Beinghonestwithyourselfnowwillsaveyoufromanuncomfortable conversationwithyoursupervisingattorneylater.Thisisnottosuggestthatyouskipprobono altogether;rather,youshouldmakesureyoutakeonareasonableload.Youshouldchallengeyourself, notkillyourselfworkingtoohard.

6. Improve:Someorganizationsmayhaveformalmechanismsforgivingyoufeedbackonyourwork. Otherswillnot,butthisdoesnotmeanyoushouldavoidassessingyourweaknessesandstrengths.You canaskyoursupervisingattorneyforinformalfeedbackoryoucanassessyourself.Eitherway,lookfor keyareasofimprovement.

7. Rememberwhatitisallabout: Youareengagingthecommunityandprovidingmemberswitha resourcetheymightnototherwisehave.Itiseasytogetburnedoutwhenyouarejugglingobligations butthinkingofthepeopleyouarehelpingandtheexperienceyouaregainingcankeepyougoing.Be proudofyourself!

8. Takecareofyourself:Sometimestheproblemsclientsfacecanoverwhelmyouaswell.Takecareof yourselfsothatyoucanprovidequalitylegalservicesforyourclient.Findpeopletohelpyouprocess yourclients'situations,systemicinjustices,etc.Stayprofessionalandavoidentanglementsthattake youtoofarintotheclient'slife.