Public Interest Perspectives - An Introductory Training for Private Attorney's in Public Interest Placements

Save the Date: September 9, 2009 at 1:00pm Eastern Time

The Association of Pro Bono Counsel and NALP are pleased to announce afree national training for attorneys beginning volunteer public interestplacements. Please pass this on to interested parties.

What: A free national web-based training for attorneys who arebeginning extended public service placements with legal aid and othernonprofit legal organizations. The training will provide an overviewof the differences in law firm and nonprofit practice settings, insighton working with low-income clients, and background on the economicchallenges presently being confronted by the public interest community.

Who: The training is designed for all attorneys taking temporary,extended public interest placements. While the training focusesparticularly on practice in civil legal services organizations, theinformation is relevant to most public interest settings. A coalitionof public interest leaders from the legal aid community and the privatebar designed and will present this training.

Why: As a result of the current economy, many attorneys, especiallynewer attorneys, who expected to be in private practice are beginningextended placements in legal aid and other public interestorganizations. This training aims to provide a bridge program forassociates transitioning into a practice setting with which they may beunfamiliar. By providing this preliminary training, we hope to bestprepare these attorneys to engage in this unique opportunity tocontribute to and learn about the public interest legal community.

When: This 2 hour program will be offered on September 9, 1:00pmEastern Time.

Where: This training can be accessed from any computer and phone line.In many cities, organizers are planning a central location (barassociation, law firm, etc.) so attorneys may participate in thetraining together. Following these sessions, a discussion on issuesrelevant to fellowships will follow the long-distance training. Weencourage attorneys to attend the live session with their colleagues.Details will follow from local organizations.

Register: If you are able to participate in this training, pleaseregister now: http://tinyurl.com/meggy8.

Questions: If you have any questions or for more information, pleasecontact Kelly Tautges at ktautges@chicagobar.org or 312-554-8356.

Program Faculty:

* Margaret C. Benson, Executive Director, Chicago Volunteer LegalServices* Tiela Chalmers, Executive Director, Volunteer Legal ServicesProgram of the San Francisco Bar Association
* Steven Grumm, Director of Public Service Initiatives, NationalAssociation for Law Placement (NALP)* Bruce Iwasaki, Senior Partner, Lim Ruger & Kim, LLP; and formerExecutive Director, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles* Harlene Katzman, Pro Bono Counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett,LLP* David Lash - Managing Counsel of Public Interest and Pro BonoServices, O'Melveny & Myers, LLP; and former Executive Director, BetTzedek* Steven H. Schulman, Pro Bono Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer &Feld, LLP* Jonathan Smith - Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of theDistrict of Columbia* John Tull - former Executive Director, Southern Arizona LegalAid; and former Vice President for Programs, Legal Services Corporation* Angela Vigil - North American Director, Pro Bono & CommunityService, Baker & McKenzie; and former Director, Children's Law Pro BonoProgram, Northwestern University School of Law