Best Practices in Pro Bono: Where Have All The Hours Gone? Reconnecting Volunteers & Legal Service Providers
The pandemic exacerbated the need for pro bono lawyers and many firms experienced banner years for pro bono hours. But, now many employers are moving away from all remote to hybrid work situations, and some legal services providers are struggling to secure volunteers. Is there a correlation between return to the office and a real or perceived decline in volunteers? Are volunteers still providing pro bono hours at the high rates we saw in 2020 and 2021? If so, where is the time going?
The question on everyone’s mind is where is the disconnect? And how do we respond to ensure pro bono projects are fully staffed while providing volunteers with meaningful experiences? We’ll discuss these questions and more with:
- Blair Decker, Pro Bono Counsel, Hogan Lovells US LLP
- Jodi Feldman, Managing Attorney, Legal Operations, Legal Aid of the District of Columbia
- Danielle Moise, Pro Bono Attorney, Covington & Burling LLP
- Nirupa L. Narayan, Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Join this candid panel discussion as we pause to reflect upon how pro bono recruitment and retention have changed since 2020 and brainstorm strategies for moving forward together.