OCTOBER IS PRO BONO MONTH
Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct state in part that a “lawyer should aspire to render at least 50 hours of pro bono publico legal services per year.” The first comment to that rule notes that “{e}very lawyer, regardless of professional prominence or professional work load, has a responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay, and personal involvement in the problems of the disadvantaged can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the life of a lawyer.”
Memphis law students are required to do at least 40 hours of pro bono work to graduate. Volunteering at the events below is pre-approved for pro bono credit. Just have your supervisor sign a Supervisor Certification Form, which can be found here: http://www.memphis.edu/law/career-services/pro-bono.php 1Ls can do no more than 5 hours of pro bono work before January of their 1L year.
The following events will be held in celebration of PRO BONO MONTH:
October 4: Proclamation Ceremony, 10:30 am, Hall of Mayors at City Hall (125 N. Main)
Mayor Strickland will proclaim October as “Pro Bono Month”
October 8: Saturday Legal Clinic, 10am-12pm, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library at 3030 Poplar Avenue
Co-sponsored by the MBA Young Lawyer’s Division and the Litigation Section
October 11: Cossitt Library Pro Bono Clinic, 3-5pm, 33 S. Front Street
Local attorneys and law students are teaming up to provide this new clinic, right next to the law school. To sign up, go to http://bit.ly/cossittlibrary
October 15: Justice for All Ball, 7-10pm, Halloran Centre, 203 S. Main Street
This superhero themed event benefits Memphis Area Legal Services. There will be live music, a silent auction, libations, and catering by Restaurant Iris, et. al. For more information or to buy tickets, go to http://www.justiceforallball.org
October 19: Legal Clinic Boot Camp, 9am-12:15pm, MBA Offices, 145 Court Ave, #301
Are you an attorney who has wanted to volunteer at a clinic, but were afraid that you did not know enough to give advice? Come to this seminar and learn the basics of the four most common areas encountered in the clinics. Register at http://bit.ly/legalclinicbootcamp
October 20: Project Homeless Connect, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St.
Hosted by the Community Alliance for the Homeless, Project Homeless Connect needs lawyers to serve clients on the 8:30-12 or 12-3:30 shift (or any available time). No follow-up representation will be necessary. Lunch and a t-shirt provided. Contact Chris Martin at chris.martin@shelbycountytn.gov
October 22: Midtown Legal Clinic, 10am-12pm, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, 1750 Union Ave.
Hosted by Memphis Area Legal Services and Idlewild Church, volunteer legal professionals will be on hand to assist those in need for free with legal issues. This is a non-evangelical event and people of all beliefs are welcome. For any questions, email midtownlegalclinic@gmail.com
October 22: DACA Clinic, 12-4pm, Latino Memphis, 6041 Mt. Moriah Road
Co-hosted by the Community Legal Center, Latino Memphis, Mid-South Immigration Advocates, and Catholic Charities of West TN, this clinic will assist children and young adults to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Volunteers are needed to help with forms, photocopying and translating. Volunteer experience and language skills are not required. Volunteer training is at 12. Lunch will be served. Contact Emily Stotts at emilys@clcmemphis.com or sign up at http://svy.mk@2dvcrja
October 22: Wills for Heroes, 9am-5pm, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.
Wills for Heroes clinics around the state provide free wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives for Tennessee’s firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency responders. Contact Chasity Grice at cgrice@pgmlawyers.com
October 25: Veteran’s Clinic, 12-2pm, 1407 Union Ave., 11th Floor
This legal clinic is sponsored by Memphis Area Legal Services and assists military veterans.
