Pro Bono Summit ­ October 24, 2008

Wondering how to jump-start pro bono service at your firm or office? Attend this year's Pro Bono Summit on Friday, October 24th from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Belo! This year's theme is "Recruiting, Retaining, and Rewarding Volunteers," and speakers include newly appointed U.S. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Catharina Haynes, Justice Deborah Hankinson, and non-profit volunteer consultant LouAnne Smith. The Summit will also feature a breakout session during which you can help brainstorm ways to increase volunteer involvement and satisfaction. 1.5 hours of ethics CLE credit pending. Co-sponsored by the DBA Pro Bono Activities Committee, the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, Catholic Charities, Central Dallas Ministries, Human Rights Initiative, Texas C-Bar, and Advocacy, Inc. Please RSVP to Barbara Wilson at wilsonb@lanwt.org.

See you there!

Hurricane Ike - A Call for Assistance

Dear Texas attorney,

Hurricane Ike has devastated our Gulf Coast. Twenty-nine Texas counties have been declared disaster areas eligible for FEMA relief. Galveston, Jefferson, and Orange counties were hit particularly hard.

As lawyers in affected counties turn their attention from immediate concerns about shelter and the safety of their families and friends toward rebuilding their law practices, many will face major hurdles. Needs for office space, housing, and office supplies and equipment will be significant.

If you can offer to help in any of these areas, please email ikeresponse@texasbar.com and we will do our best to match your offer with a request for help from an attorney in need.

If you are able to make a financial donation, please visit the State Bar website for details on how you can contribute to a fund to help attorneys rebuild their practices, and also information about donating to legal services providers and to the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. The website will also serve as a clearinghouse for information on court orders and federal and state disaster relief resources.

Thank you for your generous support as we help our colleagues along the Gulf Coast meet the challenges that Hurricane Ike has posed.

Sincerely,

The State Bar of Texas

Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program

East Dallas Legal Clinic

Location:
East Dallas Legal Clinic
Grace United Methodist Church
4105 Junius at Haskell in Dallas (just East of Baylor Hospital)

Dates:
1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month

Time:
6:00 p.m. for support volunteer paralegals and legal secretaries
7:00 p.m. for volunteer attorneys

Activities: Volunteer paralegals and legal secretaries assist with prescreening applicants for legal services. Pre-screening includes making sure applicants are financially eligible for aid and assisting disabled applicants with completing their paperwork. A DVAP staff paralegal will provide training and support.

Volunteer attorneys are needed to interview clients and provide advice on non-fee-generating, civil matters. Attorneys are not required to accept cases for representation but welcome to if they interview one they want to represent pro bono. A DVAP staff attorney is present at the clinic to provide attorneys with assistance.

Assistance: Marsha McClanathan, Clinic Paralegal- (214) 748-1234, ext. 2237
Lakeshia McMillan, Paralegal – (214) 748-1234, ext. 2245
Michelle Alden, Managing Attorney- (214) 748-1234, ext. 2234

Directions:

If coming from downtown Dallas, drive east on Pacific Avenue. Pacific will turn into Gaston Avenue. Turn right on Haskell Avenue. The church is almost immediately on the left-hand side of the street at the corner of Junius and Haskell.

Get On Board Fair

Thursday, May 22, 2008
4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Conference Center at Cityplace
2711 N. Haskell Avenue, Dallas

Visit with 100 nonprofit organizations about how your time and talent as a board member or volunteer can benefit the place you call home.

From arts to social services, healthcare to housing – There’s a nonprofit just right for you.

Admission is FREE!

Join us for food, fun and a chance to win door prizes.

Register now!

(Pre-registration preferred, but walk-ins welcome!)

For more information, call +1.214.826.3470 x232.