how lawyers can and do help...

Shining a light on lawyers
who provide free legal help to the poor, donate for nonprofi t
legal aid programs, and give back to their communities
assures well-deserved acknowledgment. But even more
important, it provides examples that other lawyers can look
to in continuing the public service traditions of the legal
profession.
For lawyers, helping starts with pro bono. Pro bono
includes free legal assistance to low-income persons
(the one community service that only lawyers can perform)
and fi nancial contributions for legal aid programs. These
public service priorities are part of written ethical standards
adopted by the legal profession; they emphasize that lawyers’
fi rst public service obligations are to help meet the legal
needs of the poor. This is fi tting in light of the special skills
lawyers have and their role in a justice system. In addition to
pro bono, many lawyers give time for other public services
in their communities, which “A Lawyer Helps” also seeks to
recognize and celebrate.