Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files

Hear from attorneys Keith Y. Cohan and Ryan M. Goldstein of Reid Collins, and Nora Ahmed of the ACLU of Louisiana, about the Justice Lab's longstanding advocacy for individuals impacted by discriminatory policing — and how the pursuit of justice in dozens of these cases can lead to systemic reforms. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Join host Alicia Aiken and fellow movie buff and attorney John Whitcomb for another lively discussion of how pro bono has been depicted in past Oscar-nominated films, exploring how these stories reflect the popular understanding of access to justice. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Pursuing Justice Podcast Episode 57: What does it mean to design a fulfilling life in the law? And how does pro bono fit in? In this encore episode of Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files, host Alicia Aiken talks to Michigan Law professors Bridgette Carr and Vivek Sankaran and attorney Jessica Morton about taking stock and forging your own career path — and how pro bono can help.

Alicia Aiken speaks with Toby Rothschild, Of Counsel, OneJustice, about his career spanning more than 50 years in legal services, how he motivates others to do pro bono work, and why he's still dedicated to teaching and giving back in spite of being “retired.” Toby is the winner of PLI's inaugural Victor J. Rubino Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Training, recognizing his extraordinary contributions as a speaker and program chair for pro bono ethics and related programs. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.  

Non-consensual disclosure of intimate images, commonly known as revenge porn, can have a devastating impact on victims, mostly women. Launched a decade ago to provide pro bono support to these victims, the Cyber Civil Rights Project receives more than 30 requests for assistance per week. Hear from David Bateman and Amy L. Groff, of K&L Gates, and Elisa D'Amico, of D'Amico Law Firm PLLC, about how they stay on top of developments in the law and technology to combat this growing problem. Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

In Part Two of our episode on pro bono legal assistance for journalists, hear how ProJourn lawyers are fighting to ensure that Open Vallejo — a local independent newsroom in California — can shine a light on serious police misconduct and local government. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Local journalism is in crisis — and among its challenges is the urgent need for lawyers to enforce open records laws and assess stories for legal vulnerabilities. In Part One, hear how lawyers from Microsoft and Davis Wright Tremaine joined forces with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the Knight Foundation to build ProJourn, an initiative to protect journalists by equipping them with the pro bono legal support they need to tell impactful, truthful stories. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individual Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Matching willing lawyers with appropriate pro bono projects can be a challenge. What are the factors that contribute to their decisions to work on one project or another — or to even get involved at all? Two experts on managing and advising pro bono teams, Julia Wilson and Kelly Tautges, share how in-depth discussions and focus groups have helped them identify the key drivers of pro bono involvement. Related CLE Content: How you write the recruitment email has a big impact on whether folks say yes to pro bono. You can learn how to make all of your emails more impactful in PLI's Informal Legal Writing program – co-created & taught by our host, Alicia Aiken. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.  

Florida recently restored the right to vote to over a million individuals who have served time for felony criminal convictions, but thousands in the state are still disenfranchised due to court fees and other hurdles. Hear from lawyers involved in voting rights restoration — as well as a client looking forward to voting — about the long and complex effort to advocate for full participation in democracy, and how pro bono has made a difference. Host Alicia Aiken speaks with Lena Hopkins of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Desmond Meade of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Raymond A. Traendly of TK Law, and client Wayne Wilson for this timely episode. Related Links: Voting Rights Restoration Efforts in Florida: A summary of current felony disenfranchisement policies and legislative advocacy in Florida

Entrepreneurs, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, face a lot of pain points when starting a new business or nonprofit enterprise. Hear how corporate lawyers can ease the pain, and support initiatives that benefit communities, through pro bono legal help with Darryl Maxwell of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Jennifer Kent of Latham & Watkins, and Al Goldberg of Mess Hall in Washington, D.C. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

In this special crossover episode with PLI's inSecurities podcast, hear about how pro bono clinics can help vulnerable investors protect their hard-earned retirement funds and nest eggs. Alicia Aiken is joined by Kurt Wolfe and Chris Ekimoff for an informative conversation with law professors, a recent law school grad, and an SEC attorney about their work aiding underserved retirees. Listen to the related inSecurities episode: https://www.pli.edu/insecurities/episode-126 PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

In the second part of Alicia Aiken's conversation with Lexi Wung, recorded over a year later, Lexi has completed her first year as an associate with Kirkland & Ellis. Has she held on to her passion for pro bono? Hear what her experience has been like as she takes on “interesting, difficult, but meaningful” pro bono cases while building her skills in billable client work. Go back and listen to Part One PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

For a law student, it can be hard to figure out what a law firm job will be like — and whether pro bono will really be supported as part of regular work life. In the first of a two-part episode, hear from Lexi Wung, then a recent Michigan law grad entering a Big Law firm. She shares her aspirations, questions, and fears as an up-and-coming first-generation lawyer with a passion for social justice. Listen to Part 2 PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

In this bonus episode, Ryan Haygood and Ezra Rosenberg — recently featured in the Protecting Voting Rights episode — share how their backgrounds led to their professional focus on voter advocacy.   Related CLE Program: You may also be interested in Voter Rights 2024. Attendees will examine current voting laws and challenges in the United States and learn how attorneys can help protect voting rights. Learn more, register and earn CLE credit. PLI is proud to support the essential public service work of the legal profession: Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources               Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals   Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.

Laws restricting the ability to vote, such as voter ID requirements, disproportionately impact voters of color. Hear a conversation with Ezra Rosenberg and Ryan Haygood about how pro bono advocacy plays a crucial role in the ongoing fight to protect voters' rights and fulfill the American vision of ballot access for all. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

Host Alicia Aiken welcomes fellow movie buff and attorney John Whitcomb for a lively discussion of how pro bono has been depicted in past Oscar-nominated films — and how these stories reflect the popular understanding of access to justice.   Explore our Pro Bono programs and resources Learn about our Pro Bono Memberships and Scholarships for qualified organizations and individuals

There is a looming crisis in Philadelphia, where the poverty rate is high, the housing stock is old, and gentrification is transforming traditionally Black neighborhoods. The ability to pass on generational wealth is at risk, as families who thought they legally inherited their homes encounter “tangled titles” and other legal complications. Learn how Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and the pro bono hub Philly VIP are teaming up to clear titles and provide estate planning for the residents of the Sharswood neighborhood. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

Finding accurate, locally specific information about the rights of homeless youth can be challenging. To address that problem, Baker & McKenzie leads pro bono teams that create Homeless Youth Handbooks for each state. Learn how Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and the in-house legal team from Enterprise Mobility joined up with Baker & McKenzie to put good information in the hands of young Missourians who need it. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

In this year-end episode, host Alicia Aiken sits down with producer Daniel Painitz to chat about Pursuing Justice's coverage of hot topics in the news, issues of interest to in-house counsel, ethical storytelling, helping veterans and artists — and much more.  PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

In the legal space, Pro Bono typically means working for free — volunteering your time and legal skills. What if there's another way to serve the public good? In this episode, meet Daissy Dominguez and Samoane Williams and learn about the Justice Entrepreneurs Project, which creates law firms designed to meet working families' legal needs with predictable, transparent fees. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

Join host Alicia Aiken for a field trip to a pro bono clinic run by Katten and Legal Aid Chicago at the Jose De Diego School in Chicago. Listen in as attorneys tackle tricky questions on the spot and hear how the clinic helps dozens of clients with family law, evictions, expungements, and more. Special thanks to Jonathan Baum, Allison Clark, Matt Doran, Adrian Jonak, Zach Schmitz, and Brett Wilson of Katten; Thomas Burnett, Niki Hua, and Alena Prcela of Northwestern Law School; and Melissa Bartolomei, Melissa Picciola, Tara Carone, and Jordan Sundt of Legal Aid Chicago. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

“When they hear that you're a veteran, it's an immediate connection. They know that I can understand what they're talking about … because I lived through it too.” – Monica De Martin The veteran population is aging rapidly, and many senior vets need legal assistance with end-of-life planning, including wills. Monica De Martin, Director ‒ Counsel, Internal Investigations at Société Générale and a veteran of the Australian Royal Navy, and Peter Kempner, Legal Director and Senior Law Project Director with Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS), talk about how pro bono assistance benefits these vets — and creates meaningful experiences for volunteers. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.   

When hurricanes, floods, fires — and sometimes all of the above — strike, how can lawyers help individuals and communities respond and recover? In this encore episode, Alicia Aiken talks to seasoned disaster relief attorneys about how pro bono can make a difference in disasters, and how lawyers can prepare to pitch in.   

The vast majority of artists working today are not  well known or  well paid. And those artists with fewer resources  are often those with the greatest need for legal counsel, from protecting their intellectual property to drawing up contracts and more. In this episode, Amy Lehman, of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, and Jordan Miner Romanoff, of BNY Mellon, discuss the many ways in which pro bono lawyers can help support artists — and the arts.  PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

Trauma-informed lawyering isn't just helpful for victims of violence. In this episode, Nefertiti J. Alexander, a litigation partner and expert on trauma-informed practice, shares how this approach can strengthen your relationship with all kinds of clients, both pro bono and commercial, by helping you understand how they engage with the world. Related Links: Trauma-Informed Legal Advocacy Project Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Strategies and Best Practices - Practising Law Institute Vicarious Trauma and Resilience: Creating Space to Care for Yourself and Your Clients - Practising Law Institute Working with Domestic Violence Survivors - Practising Law Institute Interviewing Pro Bono Clients - Practising Law Institute Strategic Listening for Lawyers 2022 - Practising Law Institute   PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

Pro bono stories can be compelling, informative, and persuasive, but they can also carry risks for clients. In this episode, Maricarmen Garza of the Tahirih Justice Center and Erin Kinsella of the Practising Law Institute speak with host Alicia Aiken about how the principles of ethical storytelling and client confidentiality can help protect probono clients and also shape better narratives.  Related Links: Voice of Witness – a nonprofit focused on collecting oral histories: https://voiceofwitness.org/ethical-storytelling-principles/ Ethical Storytelling – nonprofit and comms experts: https://ethicalstorytelling.com/ Peace Corps – ethical storytelling workbook and video: https://www.peacecorps.gov/returned-volunteers/share-your-experience/   PLI is proud to offer programs, pro bono memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

Many lawyers go into pro bono unaware of the vicarious trauma they can experience when helping clients in difficult situations. Hear from a pro bono leader and an expert in learning design about how thoughtfully designed training can help lawyers at all stages of their careers become more effective and resilient advocates.  Related Links: Vicarious Trauma and Service Provider Wellness - Practising Law Institute Working with Domestic Violence Survivors - Practising Law Institute Interviewing Pro Bono Clients - Practising Law Institute Interactive Learning Center (ILC) Homepage - Practising Law Institute PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

In-house counsel face structural challenges to getting involved in pro bono projects. In this episode, hear how Amazon's in-house team joined forces with a Big Law firm and a social services organization to make a difference for unhoused people in Seattle.  

Entrepreneurship is one traditional path to building stability and strengthening communities in the United States, but many Black and Brown business owners lack access to the capital they need to sustain and grow their business ideas. In light of the ongoing conversations around righting the effects of historical discrimination (see Episode 28, on Bruce's Beach), we revisit an earlier episode on helping small business owners in Detroit.  This episode takes a close look at how pro bono Detroit lawyers are partnering with the grassroots group Osborn Business Association to support local entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their businesses and have access to the capital they need to grow and succeed. Episode page on PLI.edu Pursuing Justice homepage PLI is proud to offer programs, pro bono memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.  

In our episode, Pro Bono and Reparations: The Bruce's Beach Story, we met George C. Fatheree III, lead pro bono attorney for the descendants of the Bruce family.  In this bonus episode we hear about George's path into real estate law and his approach to pro bono work. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

Bruce's Beach, in Southern California, represents the first example in the United States of reparations to a family harmed by the racist use of eminent domain. This agreement — and the family's recent sale of the land back to L.A. County for $20 million — was made possible by careful, skilled pro bono representation. Hear from George C. Fatheree III, partner at Sidley & Austin and lead counsel for the Bruce family's descendants, about this unprecedented matter — and why he found it personally and professionally compelling. Link to a bonus episode where you can hear more about George's path into real estate law and his approach to pro bono work. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

What can be done when survivors of domestic violence face judges who are unprepared to handle their cases? Hear from Ben Weinberg, Pro Bono Partner at Dentons in Chicago, about how an Orders of Protection Appellate Project is helping pro bono clients get a second chance at getting justice from the courts. Related Links: If the topic of this episode brings up anything for you or someone you care about, you can reach out for support at: National Domestic Violence Hotline, www.thehotline.org, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 National Sexual Assault Hotline, www.rainn.org/resources, 1-800-656-4673 If the topic of this episode inspires you to get involved in appeals for domestic violence survivors, you can learn about DV LEAP, an appellate project at the Network for Victim Recovery DC, at https://www.nvrdc.org/dv-leap. If you are interested in supporting appellate advocacy for survivors or being contacted about the next NVRDC pro bono training, please email probono@nvrdc.org. The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, the leading domestic violence advocacy organization in Illinois, honored Dentons with its distinguished Leadership Award for its pro bono work related to the Order of Protection Appeals project. https://www.dentons.com/en/about-dentons/news-events-and-awards/news/2022/october/dentons-receives-leadership-award-for-domestic-violence-advocacy PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

What happens when a BigLaw firm brings its resources to bear on a wrongful conviction case? In Part 2 of this dramatic story, hear from a Milbank LLP partner and counsel about their successful pro bono advocacy for a wrongfully imprisoned client who was denied release even after his murder conviction was overturned. Related Links: National Registry of Exonerations profile of Mark Purnell https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=6318 Press Release: Milbank Wins Dismissal of Murder Conviction, Freeing Innocent Man After Nearly 16 Years in Prison https://www.milbank.com/en/news/milbank-wins-dismissal-of-murder-conviction-freeing-innocent-man-after-nearly-16-years-in-prison.html Delaware Supreme Court: Purnell v. Delaware, 254 A.3d 1053 (Del. 2021) https://law.justia.com/cases/delaware/supreme-court/2021/113-2020.html Delaware Innocence Project  https://www.innocencede.org/ National Innocence Project  https://innocenceproject.org/about/   PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

As a teenager, Mark Purnell was convicted of a murder he didn't commit. After years of self-advocacy, his case caught the attention of pro bono counsel. Hear about their dramatic fight for his exoneration.   Related Links: National Registry of Exonerations profile of Mark Purnell https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=6318 Press Release: Milbank Wins Dismissal of Murder Conviction, Freeing Innocent Man After Nearly 16 Years in Prison https://www.milbank.com/en/news/milbank-wins-dismissal-of-murder-conviction-freeing-innocent-man-after-nearly-16-years-in-prison.html Delaware Supreme Court: Purnell v. Delaware, 254 A.3d 1053 (Del. 2021) https://law.justia.com/cases/delaware/supreme-court/2021/113-2020.html Delaware Innocence Project  https://www.innocencede.org/ National Innocence Project  https://innocenceproject.org/about/   PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

New associates have a lot of questions about pro bono. Sometimes, they might not even know what questions they should have. In this special episode, three attorneys offer a “top 10” list of advice and insights for those who are getting started — or looking to jump-start their pro bono practice. PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession. 

What if your pro bono work could fundamentally restructure the delivery of justice for your whole community? In this episode, two attorneys with deep experience in advocating for the Right to Counsel — and tenants' rights in New York City Housing Court, in particular — discuss how pro bono has made a real difference in access to justice, from Gideon to today. Related Links: National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel Gideon v. Wainwright. (n.d.). Oyez. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.oyez.org/cases/1962/155 Law Firm Antiracism Alliance Report: The Financial Cost and Benefits of Establishing a Right to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings Under Intro 214-A Article: Sounding The Trumpet: The Gideon Case Decision: Gideon vs. Wainwright ----more---- PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession

Following Episode 21 on pro bono assistance to disasters, host Alicia Aiken revisits our inaugural episode, which tells the story of how a corporate attorney at Schulte Roth & Zabel stepped up to help Partners In Health get clearance to deliver aid after a devastating earthquake in Haiti. This encore episode features a previously unreleased conversation with PIH co-founder Ophelia Dahl. PLI is proud to offer programs, pro bono memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.  

When hurricanes, floods, fires — and sometimes all of the above — strike, how can lawyers help individuals and communities respond and recover? In this episode, Alicia Aiken talks to seasoned disaster relief attorneys about how pro bono can make a difference in disasters, and how lawyers can prepare to pitch in.    PLI is proud to offer programs, Pro Bono Memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

“This isn't about surviving. This is about thriving.” – Bridgette Carr What does it mean to design a fulfilling life in the law? And how does pro bono fit in? In this month's episode of Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files, host Alicia Aiken talks to Michigan Law professors Bridgette Carr and Vivek Sankaran and Jessica Morton of Democracy Forward about taking stock and forging your own path — and how pro bono can help. PLI is proud to offer programs, pro bono memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

Nonprofit board service is “a different way of bringing your legal talent to your volunteer work,” says Pursuing Justice podcast host Alicia Aiken. In this month's episode, she interviews Judy Siegel of the Pro Bono Partnership, and Raphael Stern of Lawyers Alliance for New York, on what lawyers should know about the benefits of serving on a board. This episode features the co-chairs of PLI's program Serving on a Nonprofit Board 2022: Practical and Ethical Considerations for Attorneys.  For more information about PLI's programs on nonprofit organization law visit https://www.pli.edu/products/subjects/pro-bono/nonprofit-organizations Link to episode page on PLI.edu: https://www.pli.edu/probono/probonopodcast/episode-19 PLI is proud to offer programs, pro bono memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

The stakes are high for low-income tenants facing the threat of eviction. In this month's episode of Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files, learn why pro bono representation is essential for renters facing outsized rent hikes, uninhabitable properties, and other challenges to their housing.  This program features Lorraine A. López, the chairperson of PLI's program "California Eviction Defense: Protecting Low-Income Tenants 2022"   Related Links: “The Limits of Unbundled Legal Assistance: A Randomized Study in a Massachusetts District Court and Prospects for the Future” - James Greiner, Cassandra Wolos Pattanayak, and Jonathan Hennessy, Harvard Law Review “Key Studies and Data about How Legal Aid Improves Housing Outcomes” - The Justice In Government Project “Domestic Violence Survivors Battle to Keep Legally Protected Housing Subsidies” - Yilun Cheng,  Chicago Reader, January 11, 2021 “New Study Exposes Racial and Economic Inequities in D.C. Evictions" - Making Justice Real, the official blog of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, October 9, 2020 “Eviction in Washington, DC: Racial and Geographic Disparities in Housing Instability” - Brian J. McCabe and Eva Rosen, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, Fall 2020 “Opinion: Low-income Tenants in D.C. May Soon Get Legal Help” - Charles Allen, Kenyan R. McDuffie, and Mary M. Cheh, Washington Post, May 18, 2017 “Amid a Housing Crisis, Renters Challenge Firms They Say Are Being Exploitative” - Marisa Penaloza, npr.org,  February 10, 2022

Unaccompanied immigrant children, often fleeing dangerous situations in their countries of origin, need legal representation when they appear in immigration court.   Want to get involved and make a profound difference in the life of a child? This month “Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files” talks with three lawyers about the critical role of volunteer lawyers in these kinds of cases,  and  the training that is available to get you started.   This program features speakers from PLI's program "Representing Unaccompanied Children in California: Legal Updates and Strategies for Pursuing Relief 2021”. 

Are you (or your law firm) thinking about taking on a pro bono asylum case? Hear how three commercial litigators at Forman Watkins, with the guidance and support of the Mississippi Center for Justice, worked on two pro bono asylum cases. What drew them to take on this kind of pro bono case? What were their “takeaways”? What was the experience like for them both personally and professionally? Explore current and upcoming immigration programs available live and on-demand here.

Running a pro bono program costs money ‒ and Indiana's statewide legal services program faced a serious financial challenge. Find out how Indiana's pro bono stakeholders pulled together and, with a law firm's help, turned a financial crisis into an opportunity. | PLI is proud to offer programs, pro bono memberships, and scholarships to support the essential public service work of the legal profession.

In Episode 14, we met three of the lawyers who worked on landmark litigation to transform New Mexico’s education system. In this bonus episode we hear from Martin Estrada, Ernest Herrera and Preston Sanchez about their interesting, but very different paths to the legal profession.  

What does an adequate public education look like? And what happens when a state fails to provide an adequate education to its Latino, Native American, and other children? Meet three lawyers who worked as part of a team of civil rights lawyers and pro bono attorneys in the consolidated education adequacy case Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico, a landmark decision that is laying the groundwork to transform public education in New Mexico.  

In this special two-part episode, we turn the tables and interview the host of Pursuing Justice, legal services veteran Alicia Aiken, and engage in some “real talk” about her unique combination of experiences with pro bono work. How have her ideas about what works (and what doesn’t work) in representing pro bono clients changed? In Part 2 of our conversation, Alicia is very open about her experiences as a pro bono volunteer after she left legal aid, including the times when she wasn’t volunteering at all.

In this special two-part episode, we turn the tables and interview the host of Pursuing Justice, legal services veteran Alicia Aiken, and engage in some “real talk” about her unique combination of experiences with pro bono work. How have her ideas about what works (and what doesn’t work) in representing pro bono clients changed? In Part 1 of our conversation, Lish talks about being a full-time non-profit lawyer, one who was initially skeptical about pro bono lawyers, but eventually embraced the possibilities of pro bono programs that are designed well and attend to the needs of clients, legal aid, and volunteer lawyers. 

Over half a million veterans have received less-than-honorable discharges (known as “bad paper”) since 1980. This prevents them from accessing veterans’ services, often with devastating results. On this episode of PLI's Pursuing Justice hear how Matt Caplan, a partner with Cooley LLP, and Holly Christian, a pro bono manager and staff attorney with Swords to Plowshares dedicate their time to helping veterans secure their benefits.----more----Link to the podcast page on pli.eduLink to the Pursuing Justice homepageLink to PLI's Veterans related CLE content

The United States is having a national conversation about historical discrimination against people of color. Many lawyers are also working on the question of “How do we address the economic inequalities caused by discrimination?” Entrepreneurship is one traditional path to building stability and strengthening communities in the U.S., but many Black and Brown business owners lack access to the capital they need to sustain and grow their business ideas.This episode of Pursuing Justice takes a close look at how pro bono Detroit lawyers are partnering with the grassroots group Osborn Business Association to support local entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their businesses and have access to the capital they need to grow and succeed.Link to podcast page on pli.edu

The question we are looking at today is: Should businesses get free legal help? When put like that, your gut reaction might be 'No'.But, the sudden changes caused by COVID-19 have shone a light on how important small businesses are. In fact 89% of US businesses have fewer than 20 employees. Their impact on our lives is not small at all. COVID-19 might have caused many of us to see small business in a different way, but there are lawyers who have been noticing and recognizing small businesses’ value to the community for a long time. These lawyers have worked for decades to strengthen neighborhoods by building partnerships with community leaders and local entrepreneurs.In this episode, PLI's Pursuing Justice talks with transactional lawyers in Detroit about how they provide pro bono legal help to the small businesses in their community, and how these lawyers have pivoted to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.