Posted in: Lawyers › None, Pro Bono
“Necessity is the mother of invention” is a famous phrase credited to Plato, although the original author of the saying is unknown. Regardless of its origins, the sentiment rings true, and the law profession isn’t immune to unfortunate circumstances that force adaptation in order to meet the needs of the community.
The American Bar Association started its annual National Celebration of Pro Bono week in October of 2009 after the recession created an increasing need for free or discounted legal services. The necessity was the growing need for legal representation and professional associations adapted by encouraging their members to do pro bono work. Ever since the successful inaugural year 10 years ago, the ABA encourages other legal professional organizations to celebrate members’ pro bono services during the last full week of October.
This year’s National Celebration of Pro Bono week is October 20-26 and highlights the need for legal assistance for domestic violence survivors, an intimate act of violence that many South Carolinians know all too well. Only six other states in the country have domestic violence rates as high or higher than the Palmetto State.
The South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program will highlight the importance of volunteer legal services throughout the week and take part in several special events. See more on our Celebrate Pro Bono 2019 page.
Governor Henry McMaster issued this proclamation designating Oct. 21-25 as Celebrate Pro Bono Week.
“The assistance of volunteer pro bono attorneys is critical to the efforts to meet the legal needs of domestic violence survivors; and Celebrate Pro Bono Week provides an opportunity to recognize those attorneys as well as all the other attorneys in our state who provide pro bono legal assistance,” McMaster’s proclamation says.
The South Carolina Domestic Violence Advisory Committee’s 2018 Annual Report highlights the depths of domestic violence danger in South Carolina.
Domestic violence is rampant across the state and survivors’ need for legal assistance is clear. Whether it’s providing direct representation, taking part in legal clinics or Free Legal Answers, the South Carolina Bar offers plenty of ways to give back and support survivors of domestic violence.
Not only does providing pro bono work help fill gaps in the community, it also feeds the spirit.
Betsy Goodale, Pro Bono Program Director, reminds SC Bar Members just how rewarding pro bono work can be, saying, “Making a difference in your community by lending your unique skills as an attorney to those in need can make a difference in you… Such an experience can rejuvenate your mind, body and soul and remind you why you chose to make the practice of law your life's work.”
By assisting domestic violence survivors through pro bono work, you could save someone’s life.
In addition to volunteering with one of the Bar’s partner organizations that focus on assisting crime survivors (see listing here), there are plenty other pro bono opportunities statewide.
Here are a few ways to volunteer your expertise:
- Legal Clinics, a short lecture designed to provide general legal information on a presented topic
- Free Legal Answers, a free Q&A-style online program that allows income-eligible users to ask civil law related questions to an attorney
- Law School for Non-Lawyers, a seven-week course discussing a variety of legal topics
- Law Related Education, a service arm of the Bar that sponsors Middle and High School Mock Trial and We the People competitions
Sign up here or contact Betsy Goodale at bgoodale@scbar.org to volunteer today.