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Intentionally Work for Justice a Little Each Month - a Call Out to Lawyers

Donna Peel, ED
Sep 2, 2016
3 min read

Anytime I encounter the saying, “work for justice,” I wonder when I’ll have the time. Even as my outrage increases over the latest news, “work for justice” sounds too overwhelming. So, how about this:

Intentionally work for justice a little each month.

I cannot be a Martin Luther King Jr. or Mother Teresa; however, I can make a difference. I have a law degree and can use it. Illinois is fortunate to have incredibly passionate, over-worked, and under-valued legal-aid lawyers. Despite their commitment, they are not able to serve even half of the desperate clients who need them. These clients need your help. They need my help.

It does not need to take as long as you think. The greatest need is not for headline making issues. It is for short-term representation and brief advice.

Examples:

a mother obtained a plenary order of protection because she had you as a lawyer to represent her. Volunteer time: 10 hours over two weeks.
a house-bound senior has peace of mind because you ensured that his end-of-life intentions were legally documented. Volunteer time: 1.5 hours.
children who never met a lawyer in a positive setting now believe that the government belongs to them after you taught a civics lesson in their class. Volunteer time. 1.5 hours.
a mother who is struggling with addiction now has an incentive to overcome her illness because you reconnected her children and assisted with visitation. Volunteer time. 5 hours.
a kindergartener with behavioral issues is enjoying school because you ensured that he has accommodations. Volunteer time. 20 hours over three months.
a disabled parent is now able to pay for uncovered medical expenses because you helped him file for social security disability benefits. Volunteer time: 20 hours over 3 months.
a disabled senior is now getting her meals on wheels because you called the landlord and she got her doorbell fixed. Volunteer time. 1 hours.
a young adult was able to get a job after you helped her remove a minor-offense arrest from her record. Volunteer time. 2 hours.

What are your reasons for not volunteering? Only know transactional law: PBN offers trainings (with CLEs). Malpractice: PBN makes malpractice insurance available to you. Not active status: PBN facilitates the ARDC filing which enables inactive, retired, and out-of-state licensed attorneys to practice pro bono. Inconvenient: PBN has virtual trainings and opportunities where you never have to leave your house. Don’t know where to start: PBN can help you get started through a wide array of projects.

When people have homes, jobs, medical treatment (especially for mental illness), intact families, safety, and education they are better able to get back on their feet; these securities lift people up to contribute productively in our communities. I think that’s justice. I think it makes us better.

PBN actively recruits attorneys each fall and offers PBN Bootcamp - in-person morning trainings. All are recorded for later viewing if preferred.

We are having three open houses in September and I hope you stop by to learn more:

Sept. 7: Oak Park Public Library from 9:30-11:00

Sept. 8: Hinsdale Public Library from 10:00-11:30

Sept. 9: Lincoln-Bellwood Public Library (Lincoln Park) from 10:00-11:30

Attorneys can join PBN at any time at pro-bono-network.org. Hope to see you there!