PILA talks pro bono to President of American Bar Association William (Bill) Robinson III

Robinson Green Tie PhotoPILA was delighted to recently meet the President of the American Bar Association William (Bill) Robinson III and to hear his inspiring views on pro bono and the legal profession.

Q - As President of the American Bar Association, what is your role in relation to pro bono?

We are celebrating and promoting pro bono work by lawyers and developing a plan to sustain and strengthen current pro bono programs in the United States. The ABA has encouraged pro bono and volunteerism throughout its history. In our Model Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 6.1 suggests every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide pro bono legal service to those unable to pay. To fulfill this responsibility, the ABA asks legal professionals to perform at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year.

Indeed, lawyers are making a difference. There are more than 1,200 organized pro bono programs in America. The ABA's Center for Pro Bono is actively engaged to help these programs improve and grow. Plus, more than 600 events around the U.S. during "Celebrate Pro Bono" week in October helped thousands of people and highlighted the exceptional volunteer work by lawyers.

Pro bono is an integral part of the legal services delivery system, and we have seen even more improvement in these programs over the last few years. Yet it's clear that many in the legal community, like many Americans, are under increasing pressure from commitments to work and to family. So we are also gathering ideas to create a new model for pro bono that is workable, sustainable and achievable.

Q - What difference can pro bono make?

Simply put, pro bono legal services ensure access to justice. Last month, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the percentage of Americans living below the poverty line last year was 15.1 percent - the highest level since 1993.

In America, 40 of 50 states cut funding for their judiciaries in 2010 and legal aid groups were forced to turn away about half of the people who came to them for help.

The problems of underfunded state judiciaries and underfunded legal aid groups are clearly interconnected. Legal aid and court funding are two sides of the same "access to justice coin." We should continue to educate the public and policymakers about why these budget cuts are so harmful, and why people have a right to timely and fair justice.
But frankly, there isn't a lot of extra money in government bank accounts these days. That is why lawyers' contributions in pro bono work can help fill the void left by budget cuts while also strengthening our justice system now and for the future.

Q - What personal benefit is there for the individual lawyer who becomes involved in pro bono work?

Pro bono work helps individuals in need in our communities. But it also helps lawyers be better lawyers.

We learn about fields outside our expertise. We develop new skills and sharpen the ones we already have. We improve our ability to manage projects efficiently and develop better client relationships. Then there are the skills we learn that can't be measured easily like leadership, judgment and empathy - the very core of who we are as officers of the court.

Pro bono work reminds us why we wanted to become lawyers in the first place. And, as officers of the court, lawyers have a duty to uphold the most essential values of our profession.

Q - What benefits are there for law firms which put in place a structured pro bono programme?

The ABA believes that providing opportunities for lawyers to perform pro bono service can help law firms reduce attrition. Many young lawyers enter the profession eager to make a difference. They often become frustrated when their practice leaves them little opportunity to do pro bono work. We are encouraging America's law offices to enable lawyers to volunteer their skills to those in need, as my own firm did for me, to help improve their communities and find greater satisfaction in their legal careers.

Pro bono work provides lawyers with a sense of responsibility, autonomy and accomplishment. It also offers professional skills development and client contact -opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable in some large firms.

For smaller firms or solo practioners, it's important to develop partnerships with bar associations and legal services providers that can provide the resources and support that they lack. A structured environment can help with pro bono referrals, client screening, training, mentoring, malpractice insurance, forms and materials, and other kinds of assistance that is not otherwise available.

Q - What are the biggest obstacles you have encountered in supporting pro bono and how have you overcome them?

Time. It's never been the commitment for me. From the moment I started going to the courthouse to watch trials even before I went to law school, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. To stand in a courtroom and announce that you are representing a client, it seemed at the time like the greatest privilege I would have. But once I began to practice, I realized my responsibility as an officer of the court went far beyond representing my clients. But helping others does take time, especially when you have a family and work responsibilities too. I feel fortunate that my law firm, Frost Brown Todd LLC, has supported me in every possible way to make sure I have the resources and the time to carry out my civic and organized bar commitments in support of pro bono service.

Q - What steps can a law firm take to encourage lawyers to do pro bono?

There are a number of strategies that serve the interests of America's law firms by providing lawyers with opportunities to enrich their professional lives while helping those in need. It's important to create a culture that promotes and rewards volunteerism.

Several states have developed ideas that have worked well. They include: counting pro bono hours as billable hours; setting goals regarding the number of hours contributed through firm pro bono programs and goals that increase the number of attorneys who participate; and establishing a structured, well-run program supported by firm management.

I believe that, for lawyers, volunteerism is in our professional souls. It's part of our DNA. And it may often be some of the most interesting, challenging and rewarding part of our careers. That's the message I hope law firms will use to promote volunteerism. Our responsibility is great, but the reward can be that much greater.

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