October 1, 2009
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October is Pro Bono Month!
Upcoming pro bono training and volunteer opportunities
Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership news
Pro Bono Rocks! tickets now on sale
Match Day to benefit bar foundation
Contact the Pro Bono Center
October is Pro Bono Month!
What began as plans for a Pro Bono Week in late October to coincide with the American Bar Association's National Pro Bono Celebration has turned into a month full of meetings, trainings, and events, all designed to encourage, increase, and support attorney participation in the provision of free legal services to low-income individuals and families. To add to the fun, several firms including Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti and Reed Smith are hosting "dress-down days," when attorneys and staff members may make a donation to the Allegheny County Bar Foundation and wear jeans or other casual attire to work. Then we'll wrap up the month with Pro Bono Rocks! on November 6 at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Keep reading to learn more about trainings and other activities this month.
Upcoming pro bono training and volunteer opportunities
"ECSEL Program informational meeting" Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership news Legal Issues for the Community Clinic Volunteer, October 16, 2009, 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pro Bono Rocks! tickets now on sale Match Day to benefit bar foundation The Pittsburgh Foundation is sponsoring PittsburghGives Match Day on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, and the Allegheny County Bar Foundation is proud to be one of the non-profits involved in this exciting fundraising event. Contact the Pro Bono Center For more information on the Pro Bono Center please contact Barbara Griffin, Esq., Pro Bono Coordinator, at bgriffin@acba.org or 412-402-6677.
October 14, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
You are invited to come and learn about a new pro bono program aimed at enhancing community safety by reducing recidivism among former federal inmates. The ECSEL program--"Enhancing Community Safety through Education and Legal Services"--will provide direct legal services and informational sessions to former federal inmates who are participating in the Workforce Development Services program of the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. These services help to reduce recidivism, decrease the unemployment rate of offenders, and increase the probability that restitution will be paid in a timely manner. Click here to read a recent Lawyers Journal article about the program.
United States District Court Judge Joy Flowers Conti will discuss the history of the program and the importance of the participation of volunteer attorneys. Ted Johnson, Chief U.S. Probation Officer for the Western District of Pennsylvania, will also be present, along with other members of the task force working on this program. A continental breakfast will be served.
To R.S.V.P. for this program, contact Barbara Griffin, Esq., Pro Bono Coordinator, at bgriffin@acba.org or 412-402-6677.
"Helping Domestic Violence Victims Obtain Protection Orders"
October 23, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
This course trains attorneys to obtain final protection from abuse orders (PFAs) for victims of domestic violence. It is open to all attorneys interested in volunteering for NLSA's PFA program. The law firm of Dickie McCamey & Chilcote PC will host the training at Two PPG Place, 2nd Floor Auditorium, Pittsburgh, 15222, on Friday, October 23, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (registration from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.). CLE CREDITS: 3 substantive, 1 ethics. REGISTRATION FEE: Free for attorneys or paralegals volunteering to take PFA referrals; $80 for non-volunteers; $20 for non-volunteers who do not want CLE credit. Space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first come/first served basis. Click here for a registration form or call Mary Ann Troper-Malley at 412-586-6134.
This course is designed to give volunteers at general legal clinics an understanding of common legal issues facing low-income clients. Topics will include family law, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant, and more. Participants may attend one or more individual sessions throughout the day. It is open to all members of the Allegheny County Bar Association who are volunteering or interested in volunteering for a community legal clinic. The law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC will host the training at One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 on Friday, October 16, 2009. Click here for a registration form or call Mary Ann Troper-Malley at 412-586-6134.
Firms and legal departments who are participating in the new Homeless Experience Legal Protection program (H.E.L.P.) are encouraged to attend to learn more about how the program will operate. The program is also ideal for current, new, and potential volunteers at community legal clinics including:
* Partnership clinics: Catholic Charities, McKees Rocks Clinic, Millvale Wellness Center Community Clinic, and Veterans Legal Clinic
* Christian Legal Aid
* North Hills Community Outreach
* Uptown Legal Clinic
Annual breakfast meeting--October 29, 2009, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
The Partnership will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, October 29, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at the Rivers Club. This year's breakfast will feature a keynote address by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd and a panel of volunteer attorneys who will share their experiences and offer tips for providing legal services to low-income clients through Partnership programs. Come learn about the pro bono Signature Projects of your fellow members and hear how your law firm or legal department can contribute to the ongoing success of the Partnership. If your law firm or legal department is not yet a member, join us at the breakfast and see what you have been missing!
To R.S.V.P. for the breakfast or to learn more about the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership, contact Barbara Kern at kernb@nlsa.us or 412-586-6138.
Tickets are now on sale for Pro Bono Rocks! at the Hard Rock Cafe Station Square on Friday, November 6, 2009, 8:00 p.m. This event to raise funds for the Pro Bono Center will feature "Who's Bad," a nationally-known band that covers Michael Jackson songs from Motown to Thriller. Walk the red carpet past our very own "screaming fans" and join us for complimentary pre-show appetizers, valuable raffle prizes, and of course dancing!
Ticket sales are now being advertised to the public. We expect this event to be very popular, so get your tickets now by clicking here. Tickets are limited.
Individual tickets are $50. New this year, a very limited number of V.I.P. and reserved-seating packages will be available for purchase. The V.I.P. package includes two tickets to the event, complimentary valet parking, up-front seating next to the stage, a "swag bag," and more, all for $150. Reserved-seating packages for booths near the stage include four tickets to the event and cost $225. Raffle tickets will be on sale for items including an aquamarine and diamond pendant necklace on an 18 karat white gold chain valued at $950 (limited number of tickets to be sold), an "instant wine cellar," and more.
For more information about Pro Bono Rocks!, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Erin Rhodes at 412-402-6641 or erhodes@acba.org. See you there!
Starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, you can log onto www.PittsburghGives.org and make a donation to the ACBF which will be matched $.50 to the $1.00. There is a minimum donation of $50. All donations are tax-deductible. Match Day will be in effect until all matching funds ($200,000) are exhausted or until 12 p.m. on October 29. You are encouraged to create a log-in prior to October 28 at which point you can review the ACBF’s profile page.
Please consider taking part in this important fundraising opportunity. For more information on PittsburghGives, please visit http://pittsburghgives.guidestar.org/ or contact ACBF Director Lorrie Albert at 412-402-6640 or lalbert@acba.org.
Become a volunteer by clicking here.
Visit the Allegheny County Bar Foundation website at www.acbf.org.
400 Koppers Building, 436 Seventh Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15219.