A message from OSBA President Barbara J. Howard on National Pro Bono Celebration
Pro bono publico. A Latin phrase meaning "for the public good." In practice, it means lawyers providing free legal services for many of those in need. The week of Oct. 25-31, 2009, has been designated as the first National Pro Bono Celebration. During this week, the lawyers of Ohio pledge to continue their commitment to provide free legal services for many who cannot otherwise afford them.
The lawyers of Ohio answer the call every day to help those in need of legal assistance. In addition to serving those who pay for legal advice or representation, Ohio lawyers provide literally thousands of hours of free legal services and make significant financial contributions to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.
What does this mean for the citizens of Ohio? Here are just a few examples.
- An Elyria attorney uses his legal and banking experience to save homes from foreclosure. He is one of the more than 1,300 attorneys who are providing legal services free of charge for “Save the Dream,” a statewide foreclosure assistance program that connects qualified homeowners with lawyers.
- A Youngstown attorney who has volunteered for the last six years at the Mahoning County Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litem Program provides countless hours of legal advice, on a pro bono basis, filing legal paperwork, preparing volunteers for court and representing the program in appeals.
- An Allen County attorney has volunteered for the Salvation Army and does pro bono work for Allen County-Blackhoof Area Legal Services.
There are countless more stories like these where Ohio attorneys give of their time, talent and treasure to assist individuals and organizations with their legal needs. Can Ohio lawyers provide free legal services for everyone? Obviously not. Can, and do, they make a difference in the lives of many Ohioans in need? Absolutely.
To mark the National Pro Bono Celebration, the lawyers of Ohio are participating in as many as 42 client-centered events, including legal clinics to serve low income Ohioans all across the state.
During this National Pro Bono Celebration, we recognize those Ohio lawyers who are already providing pro bono legal services. We also take the opportunity to encourage more lawyers to get involved in pro bono activities. Lawyers interested in pitching in are urged to contact the Ohio State Bar Association, their local bar association or their local legal aid society. The need continues to grow and the lawyers of Ohio continue to answer the call.
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For more information about Pro Bono Week celebrations, click here. View an OSBA news story about pro bono.
To authenticate this statement, please contact Ken Brown, OSBA Director of Public & Media Relations, 800-282-6556 (toll free), 614-487-4426 (office), or 614/746-2457 (mobile).