A half-day training symposium organized by Lawyers Without Borders (LWOB), conveyed a lot of information about the organization and its current projects. LWOB is a US-based international non-profit that connects lawyers seeking to provide pro bono services with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in need of legal research, counsel and representation and in support of the Rule of Law. Providers and clients are connected across political borders, providing US lawyers with opportunities to assist economically or politically challenged non-profit organizations in developing or war-torn regions. (Read More ... )
Christ'l Dullaert, a Dutch lawyer whose expertise is in mediation and negotiation, is in the U.S. for three years. She spoke about the various types of pro bono work supported by LWOB and how in-house lawyers as well as those in private practice can apply "generic skill sets" to provide support to individuals, NGO's and in "Rule of Law" roles.
Professor Peter W. Schroth, of Rensselear at Hartford, addressed the rewards and nuances of work in an international setting in which substantive law, procedure and the importance (or unimportance) of prior decisional law varies greatly from the U.S. model. He also addressed the fact that in many African countries, few if any lawyers exist in private practice, making access to legal representation problematical for individuals. Also, in certain war-torn countries, certain factions have systematically targeted educated persons, such as physicians, lawyers and educators, for elimination, further reducing the local availability of legal support.
Robert Lally, a CPA with the Hartford area firm Federman, Lally & Remis, explained the U.S. tax implications to individuals and firms of providing pro bono services. Many folks do not realize that under U.S. tax law, the value of services is never a charitable deduction, although many out of pocket expenses may be.
Honorable Robert E. Beach, Jr., an administrative judge in the Hartford Judicial District, provided a perspective that in some countries, the legal comparison is not between "civil law" and "common law" structures but with the contrast between "law" and the "no law." He outlined basic legal needs for a Rule of Law to exist, including some form of workable commercial law and human rights law. He discussed the needs of local courts for pro bono assistance, particularly in a time of state budget cutbacks.
Professor Cindy Slane of Quinnipiac University School of Law addressed ethical considerations pertinent to the provision of pro bono services. Conflicts and appearances of conflicts are the biggest source of ethics challenges in this area. From a professional responsibility standpoint, the rules make clear that lawyers "should" do pro bono, and that firms have obligations to provide their lawyers with opportunities to discharge that responsibility. She discussed the conceptual challenges of dealing with "voluntary obligations" in a world of economic challenges.
Lt. Governor Jodi Rell spoke of the fundamental value of people who take the initiative to organize good works because they recognize that they are the best person to do the things that they do. She presented LWOB with a certificate recognizing its good work.
A panel discussion on means of creating innovative delivery systems for pro bono work followed, in which participated representatives of Hartford-based non profits, four major law firms, three professional associations and local corporations. Topics of discussion included the non-profit's needs, the steps the associations and law firms are taking to enhance opportunities for their members and associates to serve, and the financial support needed for continued development of the sorts of services LWOB provides.
Additional information about Lawyers Without Borders is available from the Lawyers Without Borders website or from its director, Atty. Christina Storm.