Pro Bono Center’s Advice & 转介诊所返回Anacostia
April 14, 2023
Torts mentor Paul Cornini advises volunteer attorney Natalie Harrison
After nearly three years of remote operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the D.C. 酒吧公益中心的周六建议 & 转介诊所恢复上门服务.
The Advice & Referral clinic, a mainstay of the Pro Bono Center’s legal programs serving District residents living on low incomes for twenty-five years, 从一开始就由面包为城市主办. The clinic reopened for in-person services in February at Bread for the City’s brand-new Michelle Obama Center, 位于历史悠久的华盛顿特区阿纳科斯蒂亚中心.C. neighborhood.
The clinic, 由管理澳门赌场官网Anitra Ash-Shakoor指导, provides walk-in legal advice to Washingtonians who have civil law questions but cannot afford a lawyer. February’s clinic drew in 38 volunteers – lawyers and paralegals alike – who assisted 25 clients, 他们中的许多人都有多重法律问题. Just one month later, 39名居民前来寻求法律援助, 标志着迅速恢复到大流行前的数字. Prior to the shutdown, 1,500 residents annually sought help from the clinic’s two locations in Anacostia and Shaw.
Judge Steven Wellner of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 从诊所成立之初就参与其中, 参加了3月的诊所，以表示法院的感谢, provide encouragement and stress the importance of pro bono work to the gathered volunteer attorneys.
公益中心执行主任凯利·海普顿和
高等法院法官Steven Wellner说
“The clinics are a fantastic opportunity for any lawyer to make a real contribution to the public good,” Wellner said. “It was a perfect fit for me when I was a new lawyer with an interest in pro bono service, but no idea where to start. 在最近的诊所里，我遇到了新的澳门赌场官网和澳门赌场官网事务所的合伙人, government lawyers, and solo practitioners. There’s room for everyone, and I’d encourage any Bar member to participate.”
Veterans and first-time volunteers alike lined up to provide legal advice for their neighbors in need. Rob Abrams, an associate in Sidley Austin LLP’s environmental law practice group, 在参加了二月的诊所后很快就上瘾了.
“这是我第一次在咨询中心做志愿者 & 转诊诊所，但绝对不是最后一家。.
Abrams said his favorite aspect of the clinic was the opportunity to meet with clients who needed his legal expertise but lacked the resources to access an attorney. He also enjoyed advising in legal matters outside his typical practice area. The clinic’s mentor program pairs seasoned attorneys with specific subject matter expertise to advise volunteer lawyers counseling outside their normal practice area.
“我一直很喜欢在咨询中心做志愿者 & Referral clinic,” said torts mentor Paul Cornoni of Regan Zambri Long PLLC. “我已经做了十年左右了, and it amazes me how much benefit the clinic brings to the citizens of the District of Columbia.”
In February and March, employment law and probate matters were the two most popular legal issues sought by clients.
志愿澳门赌场官网欧文·阿古
Another first-timer, 志愿澳门赌场官网欧文·阿古, 在Honigman LLP从事技术和数据隐私法.
“我在咨询中心的经历 & Referral Clinic was extremely gratifying and I am looking forward to participating again,” Agho said. “我的澳门赌场官网事务所对澳门赌场官网投入时间充满热情, resources, 以及我们生活和工作的社区的专业知识, 所以公司一直支持我参加诊所.”
Agho spent much of his time working with a client who came to the clinic with several legal issues.
"在我们在一起的时光结束时, we were able to prioritize her issues list and get her referred to services that would be able to help her moving forward,” he said. “The opportunity to interface with the community and provide free general legal advice to those who may otherwise not have access to an attorney is an invaluable resource, and I highly recommend that other attorneys in the area participate in the program.”
It’s not just private practice attorneys who spend an occasional Saturday helping people in need. 美国公益组织的公益项目经理劳拉·克莱因说.S. 司法部司法救助办公室, legal professionals from the federal government readily volunteer for pro bono work on their own time and in their personal capacity.
志愿澳门赌场官网助理凯利·爱德华兹，威尔·安德里奥拉，
约翰·斯波西托，达雷尔·布莱克和杜里斯·恩东莫
“Federal government attorneys and paralegals have staffed the Advice & 20多年来一直在大量转诊。. “我们很高兴诊所又回到了人们的面前. 在诊所工作的人热情而鼓舞人心, 他们提供的服务绝对是至关重要的. It is a truly satisfying experience to be a part of this community effort.”
And the clients – who often arrive low on hope with very few options – leave with a newfound sense of direction and are appreciative of the help of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center. One native Washingtonian, who found the clinic after unsuccessfully seeking help from several other District agencies, expressed his gratitude.
“There are a lot of people like me who don’t know the first thing about how to start trying to fix a legal problem,” the client said. “我很感激我有一个可以来的地方. 我希望你们永远不要离开.”
