Rule of Professional Conduct Rule 6.1 sets forth a lawyer’s obligation to render public interest legal service. Government attorneys present a significant pool of potential volunteers for pro bono work; however certain services may create or appear to create a conflict of interest with their official duties.
This one-hour presentation will focus on the types (legal and non-legal) of pro-bono and/or volunteer work that are appropriate for government attorneys and the best practices for engaging in Pro-Bono and/or volunteer work. A panel of government attorneys discusses these issues:
- Why is it important to do pro bono work?
- What type of pro bono work is allowed and not allowed
- Avoiding a conflict of interest
- Potential repercussions of engaging in volunteer work that is not allowed
- The ethics rules you should know when doing pro-bono work
The discussion will also cover what, if any, involvement in political campaigns or events is allowed as governmental attorneys.
The legal aid fallout of the pandemic has been acerbated by court closures, social distancing, economic dislocation and nearly two years of a “crisis” mentality. Demand for pro bono legal services is stronger than ever, and your help is needed. This program will help prepare you to make pro bono an essential part of your practice.
Co-sponsored with the PBA Government Lawyers Committee.
All attendees will receive the course book as a digital download. A printed copy of the course book is available, at a discount to attendees, for $20. Additional copies are available at full price. If you wish to purchase the printed version of the course book, please call PBI Customer Service at 800-932-4637. Please allow up to two weeks after the program for the printed versions of the course book to be shipped.
Recorded in January 2022.